The Molecular genetics of Male Courtship of Drosophila

果蝇雄性求爱的分子遗传学

• 批准号: 0416476
• 负责人: Brigitte Dauwalder
• 金额: $ 50.51万
• 依托单位: University of Houston
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-09-01 至 2009-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0416476&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Molecular; genetics; Male; Courtship; Drosophila

The genetic control of mating behavior (courtship) is very important for the survival of a species. However, little is known about the genes that regulate this behavior. The study of mating behavior of fruit flies provides a simple way to identify and study genes that control this process since the fly's courtship ritual consists of well-defined steps that are easy to observe in the laboratory. The same regulatory pathways, which determine sexual differentiation in the animal as a whole, control sex-specific behavior. In contrast to mammals, where hormones play an important role in this process, the brain of male fruit flies develops in a male specific manner without requiring hormones. When parts of the male brain are made female by genetic manipulation, mating behavior is severely disturbed. Although sexual differentiation of the brain is critical for proper male behavior, another tissue, which is not part of the brain, but surrounds it, is also important for courtship. It is unknown how this tissue contributes to mating behavior. The aim of this project is to study the role of this tissue in the regulation of male courtship. How does it influence the brain? It is known that this tissue secretes a number of proteins into the fly's circulatory system from where they could possibly contact the brain. One of these proteins has already been shown to play a role in courtship behavior. How does it work? Are there other secreted factors that affect courtship? How can diffusible factors influence the brain and behavior? The study of these questions will contribute to our understanding of how genes and molecules regulate complex behaviors. In addition, this exciting work will provide a rich learning experience for undergraduate students in genetic and molecular techniques

交配行为（求偶）的遗传控制对一个物种的生存非常重要。然而，人们对调控这种行为的基因知之甚少。对果蝇交配行为的研究提供了一种简单的方法来识别和研究控制这一过程的基因，因为果蝇的求偶仪式由定义明确的步骤组成，这些步骤在实验室中很容易观察到。 同样的调节途径，决定了动物作为一个整体的性别分化，控制性别特异性行为。 与哺乳动物不同，激素在这一过程中起着重要作用，雄性果蝇的大脑以雄性特有的方式发育，而不需要激素。当雄性大脑的一部分通过基因操作变成雌性时，交配行为会受到严重干扰。虽然大脑的性别分化对于正确的雄性行为至关重要，但另一个组织，不是大脑的一部分，但围绕着它，对求爱也很重要。目前还不清楚这种组织如何促进交配行为。该项目的目的是研究该组织在调节雄性求偶中的作用。它是如何影响大脑的？据了解，这种组织分泌大量蛋白质进入苍蝇的循环系统，从那里它们可能接触大脑。其中一种蛋白质已经被证明在求偶行为中发挥作用。它是如何工作的？还有其他影响求爱的秘密因素吗？可扩散因素如何影响大脑和行为？对这些问题的研究将有助于我们理解基因和分子如何调节复杂的行为。此外，这项令人兴奋的工作将为遗传和分子技术的本科生提供丰富的学习经验