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

本项目的重点是了解hlh-3蛋白在线虫中具有性别特异性的神经元分化和功能中的作用。长期目标是确定HLH-3是否类似于负责二态性别特异性神经回路中表达的基因转录的主调节器，从而影响雌雄同体和雄性的不同行为。已知Hlh-3在雌雄同体的产卵回路神经元中起作用，新的证据表明它也在雄性神经元中起作用，介导对雌雄同体提供的化学感觉和/或机械感觉线索的检测。人们对男性和女性基因网络的表达知之甚少，这些基因网络被精心安排以产生性别特定的功能。本项目利用分子、遗传和行为方法来描述bHLH转录因子协调和调节神经元功能和动物行为的机制。在线虫中，特定性别的行为是由特定性别的神经元以及共享的神经元回路控制的。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，补充其他实验室在线虫界正在进行的工作。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雄性行为缺陷，创建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出和讨论，并提交同行评议期刊发表。新生成的试剂将提供给秀丽隐杆线虫群落。

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.