CONTROL OF SEX SPECIFIC NEURAL DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOR

描述(改编自申请人的摘要)：本提案使用一种新的 发现的基因控制性行为和神经的多个方面 发展作为解剖神经学的切入点， 产生一系列复杂行为的分子和遗传机制 在高等有机体中。果蝇对照的不满意(Dsf)基因 男性和女性的适当性行为，包括性伴侣 选择、求偶接受性、交配效率和产卵 行为。它对于发展已确定的特定性别也是必要的 男性和女性的神经元。遗传学研究表明，dsf定义了一个 控制神经系统性别分化的新途径，但 不是角质层。遗传的、分子的、行为的和 神经学实验将被用来研究背后的机制 男性和女性特有行为的产生。它的结构和 将使用dsf的表达模式通过以下方式深入了解该机制 其中dsf在神经发育的调节中起作用。对中国传统文化的研究 Dsf功能的时间、空间和性别调节将是 执行以了解dsf与一般法规的整合。 神经系统内的运作机制并进入基因 控制性发育的瀑布。Dsf的表达模式 并且表达dsf的细胞的投影将被映射为 构建特定性别神经系统的接线图。 将使用各种技术来研究发生在 在没有dsf的情况下表达dsf的细胞和不表达dsf的细胞 功能。性神经系统的功能图，两者之间的关系 对于一般的男性和女性的行为以及dsf的作用，将是 通过使用dsf和其他基因的调节序列来产生 针对有限区域表达潜在的关键调控成分 神经系统的一部分。这样的“基因性别改变”将与 非神经系统性交动物的行为分析 分化在基因上锁定在男性或女性模式中，因此 消除两性间或角质层异常引起的并发症 发展。对功能上与dsf相互作用的基因进行基因筛选 将会被启动。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): This proposal uses a newly discovered gene controlling multiple aspects of sexual behavior and neural development as an entry point to the dissection of the neurological, molecular and genetic mechanisms that generate of a set of complex behaviors in a higher organism. The dissatisfaction (dsf) gene of Drosophila controls appropriate sexual behavior in both males and females including sex partner choice, receptivity to courtship, copulation efficiency and egg laying behavior. It is also necessary for development of identified sex-specific neurons in both males and females. Genetic studies show that dsf defines a novel pathway that controls sexual differentiation of the nervous system but not of the cuticle. A combination of genetic, molecular, behavioral and neurological experiments will be used to investigate the mechanisms behind the generation of male- and female-specific behaviors. The structure and expression pattern of dsf will be used to gain insight into the mechanism by which dsf functions in the regulation of neural development. Studies of the temporal, spatial and sex-specific regulation of dsf function will be performed to understand integration of dsf into the general regulatory mechanisms functioning within the nervous system and into the genetic cascade which controls sexual development. The expression pattern of dsf and the projections of dsf-expressing cells will be mapped as part of the construction of a wiring diagram of the sex-specific nervous system. Various techniques will be used to study the specific defects that occur in both dsf-expressing and dsf-non-expressing cells in the absence of dsf function. A functional map of the sexual nervous system, both as it relates to general male and female behaviors and to the role of dsf, will be generated via the use of the regulatory sequences of dsf and other genes to target expression of potential key regulatory components to limited regions of the nervous system. Such "genetic sex-changes" will be coupled to behavioral analysis of animals whose non-nervous system sexual differentiation is genetically locked in a male or female mode, thus eliminating complications arising from intersexual or abnormal cuticular development. Genetic screens for genes which functionally interact with dsf will be initiated.