Genetic Analysis of Nematode Behavior

线虫行为的遗传分析

• 批准号: 6921340
• 负责人: SCOTT W EMMONS
• 金额: $ 23.38万
• 依托单位: ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-08-01 至 2007-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6921340
• 关键词: Caenorhabditis elegans; behavior test; behavioral /social science research tag; behavioral genetics; ethology; gene environment interaction; gene expression; gene interaction; genetic mapping; genetic models; genetic screening; helminth genetics; histamine; libido; male; molecular cloning; motivation; mutant; neurotransmitters; octopamine; psychopharmacology; reproduction; serotonin; serotonin transporter; sex behavior

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This research investigates the genetic basis of male sexual motivation and behavior. Behaviors leading to sexual reproduction are essential for the survival of most animal species, yet little is presently known about how the nervous system generates appropriate motivational states and appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors. One approach to understanding animal behavior is to identify essential genes and study their cellular expression patterns and molecular functions. In order to identify genes required for male sexual behavior, mutants defective in both appetitive and consummatory phases of sexual behavior will be identified in the soil round worm Caenorhabditis elegans, a well-defined invertebrate genetic model organism. Preliminary studies have established a quantitative behavioral assay for a putative mate-searching behavior of the adult C. elegans male. The assay has been used to show that expression of mate-searching behavior is regulated by presence or absence of suitable mates, nutritional status, and signals from the reproductive system. The results are interpreted to indicate that mate-searching is potentiated by a regulated state of the nervous system that we define as the nematode analog of a sex drive motivational state of higher animals. Genetic screens will be performed to identify new mutants of two types: mutants in which males fail to express mate-searching behavior and mutants in which males exhibit sex drive yet fail to copulate. Selective genes identified will be molecularly cloned and the identity and expression patterns of their products defined. Among three mate-searching-defective genetic loci already identified, one encodes the C. elegans homolog of the serotonin reuptake transporter, the target in both humans and nematodes of fluoxetine antidepressants. In view of the sexual dysfunction caused by fluoxetine administration in humans, this result suggests that these studies may have relevance to understanding motivated sexual behavior in humans and thus may have potential clinical implications.

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究调查男性性动机和性行为的遗传基础。导致有性繁殖的行为对大多数动物物种的生存至关重要，然而目前对神经系统如何产生适当的动机状态以及食欲和性行为知之甚少。了解动物行为的一种方法是识别基本基因并研究其细胞表达模式和分子功能。为了确定雄性性行为所需的基因，将在土壤线虫秀丽隐杆线虫（一种定义良好的无脊椎遗传模式生物）中确定在性行为的食欲和完善阶段都有缺陷的突变体。