Analysis of gene expression changes associated with Drosophila olfactory memory formation

为了获得嗅觉记忆形成的分子机制的新见解，我们在果蝇大脑的一个限制性区域，蘑菇体（MB）中进行了RNA-seq分析，这是嗅觉记忆的中枢神经系统。RNA-seq分析给出了在MB中强烈表达的基因列表和嗅觉学习后基因表达变化的列表。以下Q-PCR分析揭示了在成体MB中富集的C27 o。RNA干扰介导的MB中的Bp 50基因敲低导致记忆形成受损。共表达野生型Bp 50挽救了这种表型，表明MB表达Bp 50在记忆形成中起着关键作用。我还发现rgk 1在成人MB中有非常特异的表达。Rgk 1编码REM家族蛋白，据报道其在啮齿动物中调节电压门控钙通道。由于Rgk 1和Rgk 1在哺乳动物中有同源基因，因此对这些基因的详细分析将有助于识别记忆形成的新的和保守的分子机制。

To obtain novel insights on molecular mechanisms underlying the olfactory memory formation, we performed RNA-seq analysis in a restricted Drosophila brain region, the mushroom body(MB), which is a central neuropil for the olfactory memory. The RNA-seq analysis gave a list of genes strongly expressed in the MB and a list of gene expression changes after the olfactory learning. The following Q-PCR analysis revealed the enrichment of prospero in the adult MB. RNAi-mediated knockdown of prospero in the MB resulted in impaired memory formation. Co-expression of wild-type prospero rescued this phenotype, suggesting that MB-expressing prospero plays a critical role in the memory formation. I also found very specific expression of rgk1 in the adult MB. Rgk1 encodes a REM family protein, which is reported to regulate voltage-gated calcium channel in rodents. Since prospero and Rgk1 has mammalian homologs, detailed analysis of these genes will lead to the identification of novel and conserved molecular mechanisms underlying the memory formation.