Control of Drosophila (Fruit Fly) neural development and sexual behavior by the retained gene

行为、基因、神经元和神经功能之间的关系引起了许多人的兴趣。对这些相互联系的分析涉及到选择一个可以在多个层次上进行研究的系统。这些行为必须足够复杂才能引起人们的兴趣，但又必须足够简单才能在神经和基因的层面上取得进展。行为系统必须具有重要的遗传成分，并且生物体必须易于处理，以进行经典和现代遗传和分子遗传分析。果蝇的求偶和交配行为就是这样一个系统。雄性和雌性有不同的性行为，有明确的求爱仪式，包括固定的行为模式和基于个体之间互动的变化。此外，适当的行为还包括视觉、听觉和嗅觉信息的输入和适当的处理。性别分化和性行为受遗传控制。调控级联中的上游基因已被很好地表征。这个项目的重点是保留基因在控制行为和神经发育中的作用。保留样基因存在于脊椎动物中。缺乏保留功能的雌性会抗拒正常的雄性求爱，并产生雄性般的其他雌性求爱。男性的行为很正常。保留在大脑的少量神经、中枢神经系统的胸腹部分以及眼睛的光感受器中表达。保留表达神经的投射模式在突变动物中发生改变。这些研究的结果将确定保留表达的神经系统的哪些部分参与了行为的各个方面，从而绘制出参与这些行为和亚行为的神经和大脑内的连接，并将确定保留和其他参与性行为和分化的基因之间的调节和神经元联系。这为生成这种行为和其他行为提供了关于复杂性的关键信息。该项目与领导力联盟（针对代表性不足的学生的国家研究机会计划）协同，将新的学生带入生物科学研究领域。

The relationship among behaviors, genes, neurons and neural function is of interest to many people. Analysis of these interconnections involves choosing a system amenable to study at multiple levels. The behaviors must be complicated enough to be interesting, but still simple enough that progress can be made at the level of nerves and genes. The behavioral system must have a significant genetic component, and the organism must be tractable for classical and modern genetic and molecular genetic analysis. Courtship and mating behavior in Drosophila is one such system. Males and females have distinct sets of sexual behaviors, with well-defined courtship rituals involving both set behavioral patterns and variations based on interactions between individuals. In addition, appropriate behavior involves input and appropriate processing of visual, auditory, and olfactory information. Sexual differentiation and behavior are under genetic control. The upstream genes in the regulatory cascade are well characterized. This project focuses on the role of the retained gene in the control of behavior and neural development. Retained-like genes are present in vertebrates. Females lacking retained function resist normal male courtship and generate male-like courtship of other females. Male behaviors are normal. Retained is expressed in small numbers of nerves in the brain and in the thoracic and abdominal portions of the central nervous system, as well as in the photoreceptors of the eyes. The projection pattern of retained-expressing nerves is altered in mutant animals. Results from these studies will determine which portions of the retained-expressing nervous system contribute to various aspects of behavior, thus mapping the nerves and the connections within the brain involved in these behaviors and sub-behaviors, and will determine the regulatory and neuronal linkages between retained and other genes involved in sexual behavior and differentiation. This renders critical information on complexity for generation of this and other behaviors. This project synergizes with the Leadership Alliance (a national research opportunity program for underrepresented students) to bring new students into biological science research area.