Epigenetic Reprogramming of Behaviors with Sensory Experience

基因表达的表观遗传调控与长期行为相关 动物模型和人类的变化。为了应对环境的线索，表观遗传 程序通过染色质修饰和DNA调节成熟神经元中的基因表达 甲基化导致持久的神经生理学变化。越来越多的证据表明 暗示了在许多认知和 神经精神障碍然而，建立一个因果关系之间的表观遗传 复杂神经系统中行为适应的机制和神经元特性 系统一直是困难的，主要是由于缺乏行为相关的神经和 表观遗传调控靶向的遗传底物。我们的目标是确定 神经生理学和行为的感觉经验依赖性变化的表观遗传基础。 我们利用解剖学的简单性和强大的遗传工具包， 果蝇的嗅觉受体神经元参与求偶行为，而嗅觉受体神经元的功能与求偶行为密切相关。 建立了果蝇雄性求偶行为，这是一种由 单个基因fruitlessM（fruM）在大约2000个相互连接的神经元中表达。我们 初步实验和最近的研究表明，嗅觉体验增强了反应， Or47b和Ir84a ORN在雄性和雄性求偶行为中的作用。我们还联系了 嗅觉受体（OR）通过钙和组蛋白乙酰转移酶p300信号传导到 转录因子fruM的表达作为嗅觉调节的分子机制 经验调节神经生理学和行为。我们假设苍蝇和食物的气味 在环境中导致在感觉细胞中fruM转录的染色质依赖性变化， 神经元，以修改神经生理学和求偶行为与嗅觉经验。测试 为此，我们将首先确定p300对染色质调节对重编程的影响 神经生理学和行为学。接下来，我们将描述分子机制， 嗅觉体验和染色质调节fruM表达。最后，我们将确定 转录和染色质的变化与嗅觉的经验。 .

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is associated with long-lasting behavioral changes in animal models and humans. In response to environmental cues, epigenetic programs regulate gene expression in matured neurons via chromatin modifications and DNA methylation resulting in enduring neurophysiological changes. There is mounting evidence to implicate the involvement of dysfunctional epigenetic programs in many cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders. However, establishing a causal link between epigenetic mechanism and neuronal properties that underlie behavioral adaptation in complex nervous systems has been difficult, mainly due to the paucity of behaviorally relevant neural and genetic substrates that are targeted by epigenetic regulation. Our goal is to determine the epigenetic basis of sensory experience-dependent changes in neurophysiology and behavior. We take advantage of the anatomical simplicity and the powerful genetic toolkit of the Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) involved in courtship behaviors, and the well- established Drosophila male courtship behavior, a robust ritualistic behavior governed by a single gene, fruitlessM (fruM) expressed in approximately 2000 interconnected neurons. Our pilot experiments and recent studies show that olfactory experience enhances the response of the Or47b and Ir84a ORNs in males and male courtship behavior. We also have linked olfactory receptor (OR) signaling through calcium, and histone acetyl transferase p300 to the expression of the transcriptional factor fruM as a molecular mechanism by which olfactory experience regulates neurophysiology and behavior. We hypothesize that fly and food odors in the environment lead to chromatin dependent changes in fruM transcription in sensory neurons to modify neurophysiology and courtship behavior with olfactory experience. To test this, we will first determine the effect of chromatin modulation by p300 on reprogramming neurophysiology and behavior. Next, we will characterize the molecular mechanisms by which olfactory experience and chromatin modulates fruM expression. Finally, we will determine the transcriptional and chromatin changes in ORNs with olfactory experience. .