Characterization of the role of the bHLH transcription factor HLH-3 in the differentiation and function of neurons with gender specific roles in the nematode C. elegans

这个项目的重点是了解HLH-3蛋白在线虫中具有性别特异性作用的神经元的分化和功能中的作用。长期目标是确定HLH-3是否类似于负责转录在二态性别特定神经元回路中表达的基因的主调节因子，从而影响两性人和雄性人的不同行为。已知HLH-3在两性动物产卵回路的神经元中起作用，新的证据表明，它也在雄性神经元中起作用，这些神经元介导对两性动物提供的化学感觉和/或机械感觉线索的检测。人们对男性和女性表达的基因网络知之甚少，这些基因网络是为实现性别特有的功能而精心编排的。这个项目利用分子、遗传和行为方法来描述神经功能和动物行为可以通过bHLH转录因子来协调和调节的机制(S)。在线虫中，性别特定的行为既由性别特定的神经元控制，也由共享的神经元电路控制。首席研究员S实验室是这一研究领域的新手，但该项目将提供新的信息，补充线虫群落中其他实验室正在进行的工作。该项目是两名研究生博士论文的基础，也为本科生提供了研究机会。本科生将参与进一步量化男性的行为缺陷，创造具有细胞特异性报告的菌株，以及表征与表型相关的细胞和基因表达模式(如果有的话)。这些数据将在区域和国家会议上提交和讨论，并提交同行评议的期刊发表。新产生的试剂将提供给线虫社区。

This project focuses on understanding the role of the hlh-3 protein in the differentiation and function of neurons with gender-specific roles in the nematode C. elegans. The long term goal is to determine whether HLH-3 is akin to a master regulator responsible for transcription of genes expressed in a dimorphic gender-specific neuronal circuitry, and as a result influences distinct behaviors in hermaphrodites and males. Hlh-3 is known to function in neurons of the egg-laying circuitry in hermaphrodites, and new evidence suggests it also functions in neurons of males which mediate detection of chemosensory and/or mechanosensory cues provided by the hermaphrodite. Not much is known about the gene networks expressed in males and females that are orchestrated to bring about gender-specific functions. This project utilizes molecular, genetic, and behavioral approaches to characterize the mechanism(s) by which neuronal function and animal behavior can be coordinated and regulated by a bHLH transcription factor. In the nematode, gender-specific behaviors are controlled by both gender-specific neurons as well as a shared neuronal circuitry. The principal investigator?s laboratory is a newcomer to this area of research, but this project will provide novel information that complements ongoing work in other laboratories in the nematode community. The project is the basis for the doctoral thesis of two graduate students and also provides research opportunities to undergraduate students. The undergraduates will be involved in further quantification of behavioral defects in males, creation of strains with cell-specific reporters, and in the characterization of the cells and gene expression patterns associated with phenotypes, if any. The data will be presented and discussed at regional and national meetings as well as submitted for publication in peer reviewed journals. Newly generated reagents will be available to the C. elegans community.