Detection of sex pheromones in C. elegans

线虫性信息素的检测

• 批准号: 0920069
• 负责人: Erik Jorgensen
• 金额: $ 39万
• 依托单位: University of Utah
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-08-01 至 2013-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0920069&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Detection; sex; pheromones; C.; elegans

The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism that senses and responds to sex pheromones in a gender-specific manner: males are attracted to female pheromones, but females avoid the pheromones. The goal of this project is to understand how molecules and nerve cells generate gender-specific behaviors. This species is very well-suited for studies of behavior since it is the only organism for which we know the complete wiring diagram of the nervous system. In this study the pheromones will be purified and their molecular structure determined. These pheromones bind to receptors on the surface of the olfactory cells and signal to the brain that females are present. In addition, the brain circuit required for male response to the pheromones will be determined. One of the eventual goals of this project is to test models for how brain activity generates behavior. The C. elegans nervous system is simple enough that it should be possible to reprogram behavior and thereby confirm models for nerve cell function and behavior. Part of this project will be carried out by undergraduates, thus the proposed research will train students in genetics and neurobiology, and give them a practical basis for understanding fundamental principles. The results of this proposal will be made available by publication in scientific journals and presented to the public by the PI in community and university presentations.

线虫秀丽隐杆线虫是一种模式生物，它以特定性别的方式感知性信息素并做出反应：雄性会被雌性信息素吸引，但雌性会避开信息素。该项目的目标是了解分子和神经细胞如何产生性别特异性行为。 该物种非常适合行为研究，因为它是我们了解神经系统完整接线图的唯一生物体。 在这项研究中，信息素将被纯化并确定其分子结构。 这些信息素与嗅觉细胞表面的受体结合，并向大脑发出雌性存在的信号。 此外，还将确定男性对信息素做出反应所需的大脑回路。该项目的最终目标之一是测试大脑活动如何产生行为的模型。线虫的神经系统足够简单，应该可以重新编程行为，从而确认神经细胞功能和行为的模型。该项目的一部分将由本科生进行，因此拟议的研究将培训学生遗传学和神经生物学，并为他们理解基本原理提供实践基础。该提案的结果将在科学期刊上发表，并由 PI 在社区和大学演讲中向公众展示。