Role of Clock Proteins PERIOD and TIMELESS on the Activity of the Drosophila Prothoracic Gland

这项少数启动资助是关于生物钟功能的基本机制。行为的周期性定时通常是由细胞活动调节的，被认为是一个生物钟。最近的工作已经确定了一些作为定时机制组成部分释放的蛋白质，但尚不清楚这些蛋白质如何在其他地方对靶细胞发挥作用。该项目使用了一种从果蝇中分离出来的培养组织系统，这使得对生理机制进行强大的遗传分析成为可能。生化分析用于确定从该组织的蛋白质分泌和激素分泌的时间。结果将显示时钟基因表达的分子节律如何导致定时行为模式。这项独立研究得到了美国国家科学基金会博士后的支持，并将对PI的早期职业生涯产生重大影响。这项工作也可能对神经科学和内分泌学产生影响，进一步了解连接大脑和激素分泌的细胞机制。

This Minority Starter Grant is on mechanisms underlying the function of biological clocks. Periodic timing of behavior is often regulated by cellular activity that is considered to act as a biological clock. Recent work has identified some of the proteins that are released as components of the timing mechanism, but it remains unclear how these proteins exert their effects on target cells elsewhere. This project uses a system of cultured tissue isolated from the fruitfly, Drosophila, which allows the potential for powerful genetic analysis of physiological mechanisms. Biochemical analyses are used to identify the timing of protein secretions and hormone secretions from this tissue. Results will show how molecular rhythms of clock gene expression can result in timed behavior patterns. This independent research follows NSF postdoctoral support, and will have a high impact on giving the PI a significant early boost to her career. This work also is likely to have an impact on both neuroscience and endocrinology in further understanding the cellular mechanisms that link brain and hormonal secretions.