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

果蝇学习和记忆自然变异的行为遗传分析

• 批准号: 3397-2011
• 负责人: Sokolowski, Marla
• 金额: $ 4.74万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2011-01-01 至 2012-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=473700
• 关键词: Behaviour; genetic; analysis; natural; variation

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.

该提案调查了流动果蝇和坐果蝇的学习风格，这两种果蝇因觅食行为的差异而闻名。漫游蝇和坐蝇是由于觅食基因中自然发生的遗传差异而产生的。漫游者通过从一个地块移动到另一个地块来寻找食物，而栖息者则移动到最近的食物地并留在那里，直到该地耗尽。漫游者和观察者由于其运动模式而体验到环境异质性的差异。我们发表的初步数据支持这样的假设：觅食基因会影响许多环境设置中的学习和记忆。例如，在基于嗅觉的联想学习范式中，具有较高水平的称为 PKG 的觅食基因产物的漫游者具有更好的长期记忆，而坐着的人则具有更好的短期记忆。 这些学习风格的差异补充了这些苍蝇在觅食行为上的差异。我们建议操纵果蝇大脑区域的基因表达，以识别与觅食基因在各种环境中的学习和记忆中的作用有关的神经基质和回路。我们还将研究不良的早期经历（例如营养不良）如何影响学习和记忆。最后，我们将研究 PUMILLIO 蛋白是否与觅食基因的 RNA 结合并调节其根据经验而产生的量。该提案研究了基因和环境之间的相互作用对学习和记忆个体差异的影响。