The Genetic Architecture of Aggressive Behavior

描述(申请人提供)：攻击性行为是一种数量性状，受到多个相互作用的基因的影响，这些基因的影响单独很小，其表达对环境很敏感。我提出了几种互补的方法来研究雄性果蝇攻击行为的遗传基础，使用我开发的一种快速且可重复地量化攻击行为的方法。具体来说，我将：(1)定位影响攻击性变异的数量性状基因座(QTL)。我已经定位了一个效应较大的QTL，并将对位置候选基因的缺失和突变进行互补测试，以确定与该QTL对应的候选基因(S)。(2)使用人工选择来获得攻击性水平增加和减少的品系。这项实验目前在7.1代，将评估其他性状是否已进化为对攻击性选择的相关反应，并使用全基因组表达谱来识别在选择系之间表达显著差异的候选基因。(3)通过量化纯合子遗传背景中一组单个P-元件插入系的攻击行为，寻找调控攻击行为的新的候选基因。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Aggressive behavior is a quantitative trait, affected by multiple interacting genes with individually small effects, whose expression is sensitive to the environment. I propose several complementary approaches to investigate the genetic basis of aggressive behavior in Drosophila males, using an assay that I developed to rapidly and reproducibly quantify aggressive behavior. Specifically, I will: (1) Map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting variation in aggression. I have localized one QTL with a large effect and will use complementation tests to deficiencies and mutations of positional candidate genes to identify candidate gene(s) corresponding to the QTL. (2) Use artificial selection to derive lines with increased and decreased levels of aggression. This experiment is currently at generation 7.1 will assess whether other traits have evolved as correlated responses to selection for aggression, and use whole genome expression profiling to identify candidate genes whose expression differs significantly between the selection lines. (3) Identify new candidate genes regulating aggressive behavior by quantifying the aggressive behavior of a collection of single P-element insertion lines in a homozygous genetic background.