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Hope KA, Flatten D, Cavitch P, May B, Sutcliffe JS, O'Donnell J, Reiter LT. The Drosophila Gene Sulfateless Modulates Autism-Like Behaviors. Front Genet 2019; 10:574. [PMID: 31316544 PMCID: PMC6611434 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Major challenges to identifying genes that contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk include the availability of large ASD cohorts, the contribution of many genes overall, and small effect sizes attributable to common gene variants. An alternative approach is to use a model organism to detect alleles that impact ASD-relevant behaviors and ask whether homologous human genes infer ASD risk. Here we utilized the Drosophila genetic reference panel (DGRP) as a tool to probe for perturbation in naturally occurring behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster that are analogous to three behavior domains: impaired social communication, social reciprocity and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. Using 40 of the available DGRP lines, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or near genes controlling these behavior domains, including ASD gene orthologs (neurexin 4 and neuroligin 2), an intellectual disability (ID) gene homolog (kirre), and a gene encoding a heparan sulfate (HS) modifying enzyme called sulfateless (sfl). SNPs in sfl were associated with all three ASD-like behaviors. Using RNAi knock-down of neuronal sfl expression, we observed significant changes in expressive and receptive communication during mating, decreased grooming behavior, and increased social spacing. These results suggest a role for HS proteoglycan synthesis and/or modification in normal social communication, repetitive behavior, and social interaction in flies. Finally, using the DGRP to directly identify genetic effects relevant to a neuropsychiatric disorder further demonstrates the utility of the Drosophila system in the discovery of genes relevant to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Hope
- Integrated Program in Biological Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Daniel Flatten
- Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Peter Cavitch
- Integrated Program in Biological Sciences, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ben May
- Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - James S Sutcliffe
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Janis O'Donnell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, United States
| | - Lawrence T Reiter
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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Abstract
The study of behavior requires manipulation of the controlling neural circuits. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is an ideal model for studying behavior because of its relatively small brain and the numerous sophisticated genetic tools that have been developed for this animal. Relatively recent technical advances allow the manipulation of a small subset of neurons with temporal resolution in flies while they are subject to behavior assays. This review briefly describes the most important genetic techniques, reagents, and approaches that are available to study and manipulate the neural circuits involved in Drosophila behavior. We also describe some examples of these genetic tools in the study of the olfactory receptor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Martín
- a Department of Functional Biology (Genetics) , University of Oviedo , Oviedo , Spain
| | - Esther Alcorta
- a Department of Functional Biology (Genetics) , University of Oviedo , Oviedo , Spain
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A Mechanosensory Circuit that Mixes Opponent Channels to Produce Selectivity for Complex Stimulus Features. Neuron 2016; 92:888-901. [PMID: 27974164 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.09.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Johnston's organ is the largest mechanosensory organ in Drosophila; it analyzes movements of the antenna due to sound, wind, gravity, and touch. Different Johnston's organ neurons (JONs) encode distinct stimulus features. Certain JONs respond in a sustained manner to steady displacements, and these JONs subdivide into opponent populations that prefer push or pull displacements. Here, we describe neurons in the brain (aPN3 neurons) that combine excitation and inhibition from push/pull JONs in different ratios. Consequently, different aPN3 neurons are sensitive to movement in different parts of the antenna's range, at different frequencies, or at different amplitude modulation rates. We use a model to show how the tuning of aPN3 neurons can arise from rectification and temporal filtering in JONs, followed by mixing of JON signals in different proportions. These results illustrate how several canonical neural circuit components-rectification, opponency, and filtering-can combine to produce selectivity for complex stimulus features.
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Matsuo E, Seki H, Asai T, Morimoto T, Miyakawa H, Ito K, Kamikouchi A. Organization of projection neurons and local neurons of the primary auditory center in the fruit fly
Drosophila melanogaster. J Comp Neurol 2016; 524:1099-164. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.23955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Matsuo
- Graduate School of ScienceNagoya UniversityNagoya464‐8602 Japan
| | - Haruyoshi Seki
- School of Life SciencesTokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesHachioji Tokyo Japan
| | - Tomonori Asai
- Graduate School of ScienceNagoya UniversityNagoya464‐8602 Japan
| | - Takako Morimoto
- School of Life SciencesTokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesHachioji Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Miyakawa
- School of Life SciencesTokyo University of Pharmacy and Life SciencesHachioji Tokyo Japan
| | - Kei Ito
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular BiosciencesThe University of TokyoYayoi, Bunkyo‐ku Tokyo113‐0032 Japan
| | - Azusa Kamikouchi
- Graduate School of ScienceNagoya UniversityNagoya464‐8602 Japan
- Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology AgencyTokyo102‐0076 Japan
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Abstract
The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is an invaluable model for auditory research. Advantages of using the fruit fly include its stereotyped behavior in response to a particular sound, and the availability of molecular-genetic tools to manipulate gene expression and cellular activity. Although the receiver type in fruit flies differs from that in mammals, the auditory systems of mammals and fruit flies are strikingly similar with regard to the level of development, transduction mechanism, mechanical amplification, and central projections. These similarities strongly support the use of the fruit fly to study the general principles of acoustic information processing. In this review, we introduce acoustic communication and discuss recent advances in our understanding on hearing in fruit flies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled <Annual Reviews 2016>.
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Venkatachalam K, Luo J, Montell C. Evolutionarily conserved, multitasking TRP channels: lessons from worms and flies. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2014; 223:937-62. [PMID: 24961975 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-05161-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channel family is comprised of a large group of cation-permeable channels, which display an extraordinary diversity of roles in sensory signaling. TRPs allow animals to detect chemicals, mechanical force, light, and changes in temperature. Consequently, these channels control a plethora of animal behaviors. Moreover, their functions are not limited to the classical senses, as they are cellular sensors, which are critical for ionic homeostasis and metabolism. Two genetically tractable invertebrate model organisms, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, have led the way in revealing a wide array of sensory roles and behaviors that depend on TRP channels. Two overriding themes have emerged from these studies. First, TRPs are multitasking proteins, and second, many functions and modes of activation of these channels are evolutionarily conserved, including some that were formerly thought to be unique to invertebrates, such as phototransduction. Thus, worms and flies offer the potential to decipher roles for mammalian TRPs, which would otherwise not be suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Venkatachalam
- Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, University of Texas School of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA,
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Laturney M, Billeter JC. Neurogenetics of female reproductive behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2014; 85:1-108. [PMID: 24880733 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800271-1.00001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
We follow an adult Drosophila melanogaster female through the major reproductive decisions she makes during her lifetime, including habitat selection, precopulatory mate choice, postcopulatory physiological changes, polyandry, and egg-laying site selection. In the process, we review the molecular and neuronal mechanisms allowing females to integrate signals from both environmental and social sources to produce those behavioral outputs. We pay attention to how an understanding of D. melanogaster female reproductive behaviors contributes to a wider understanding of evolutionary processes such as pre- and postcopulatory sexual selection as well as sexual conflict. Within each section, we attempt to connect the theories that pertain to the evolution of female reproductive behaviors with the molecular and neurobiological data that support these theories. We draw attention to the fact that the evolutionary and mechanistic basis of female reproductive behaviors, even in a species as extensively studied as D. melanogaster, remains poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Laturney
- Behavioural Biology, Centre for Behaviour and Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Christophe Billeter
- Behavioural Biology, Centre for Behaviour and Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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