Genetics specification of reproductive behaviors

描述（由申请人提供）：神经生物学的一个基本问题是理解复杂行为的潜力是如何建立的。黑腹果蝇是探索这个问题的一个很好的模型系统，因为一个强大的行为，交配行为，是基因编程的。果蝇雄性求偶包括一系列直接向雌性求偶的步骤。没有交配过的雌性会接受雄性的求爱行为，而那些最近交配过的雌性则会拒绝这些求爱行为。有分子遗传学证据表明，doublyex（dsx）转录因子在建立雄性和雌性的求偶和交配行为中发挥作用。然而，在雄性和雌性中，dsx在CNS中的特定功能尚未确定。我们知识上的这一差距限制了我们在分子遗传水平上充分理解生殖行为的能力。我实验室研究的长期目标是了解性别特异性行为的遗传规范，使用果蝇作为模型系统。这将为理解包括人类在内的其他生物体的复杂行为规范提供基础，我们对此的理解非常有限。本文提出的研究的总体目标是确定dsx是否在CNS中对交配行为起重要作用。我们的具体假设是，dsx是需要在中枢神经系统的细胞亚群，以指定男性求偶行为的某些方面，并指定所有或几乎所有方面的女性交配行为。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A fundamental problem in neurobiology is understanding how the potential for complex behaviors are established. Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent model system to explore this question, given that a robust behavior, mating behavior, is genetically programmed. Drosophila male courtship consists of a series of steps directed towards a female. Females that have not been mated are receptive to male courtship behaviors, whereas those that have been recently mated will reject these advances. There is molecular-genetic evidence demonstrating that the doublesex (dsx) transcription factor plays a role in establishing courtship and mating behaviors in both males and females. However, in both males and females the specific function of dsx in the CNS has not been ascertained. This gap in our knowledge is limiting our ability to fully understand reproductive behaviors at a molecular-genetic level. The long-term goal of the research in my lab is understanding the genetic specification of sex-specific behaviors, using Drosophila as a model system. This will provide a foundation for understanding the specification of complex behaviors in other organisms, including humans, for which we have very limited understanding. The overall objective of the research proposed here is to determine if dsx plays an essential role in the CNS for mating behaviors. Our specific hypothesis is that dsx is required in the CNS in subsets of cells to specify some aspects of male courtship behavior, and to specify all or nearly all aspects of female mating behaviors.