Behaviour genetic analysis of natural variation in learning and memory in drosophila

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This proposal investigates learning styles in rover and sitter Drosophila known for their differences in foraging behaviour. Rover and sitter flies result from a naturally occurring genetic difference in the foraging gene. Rovers forage by moving from patch to patch whereas sitters move to the nearest food patch and remain there until the patch is depleted. Rovers and sitters experience differences in environmental heterogeneity as a result of their movement patterns. Our published and preliminary data support the hypothesis that the foraging gene affects learning and memory in a number of environmental settings. For example, in an olfactory based associative learning paradigm, rovers who have higher levels of the foraging gene product called PKG have better long term memory where as sitters have better short term memory. These differences in learning style complement the differences in foraging behaviour exhibited by these flies. We propose to manipulate gene expression in brain regions of the fly to identifying neural substrates and circuits involved in the foraging gene's role in learning and memory in a variety of settings. We will also examine how adverse early experiences such as poor nutrition affect learning and memory. And finally we will investigate if the PUMILLIO protein binds the foraging gene's RNA and regulates how much of it is made in response to experience. This proposal investigates the interplay between genes and environments in individual differences in learning and memory.