scholarly journals Genetic study of motor functions in Drosophila melanogaster

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey A Fedotov ◽  
Julia V Bragina ◽  
Nataliya G Besedina ◽  
Larisa V Danilenkova ◽  
Elena A Kamysheva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Courtship Song ◽  
P Element ◽  
Rhythmic Motor ◽  
Pattern Generators ◽  
First Time

To investigate molecular mechanisms of central pattern generators (CPG s) functioning, we carried out a screening of collection of Drosophila P-insertional mutants for strong deviations in locomotion and courtship song. In 21 mutants, the site of the P-insertion was localized by sequencing of the fragments of genomic DNA flanking the P-element. Bioinformational analysis revealed a list of candidate genes, potential players in development and functioning of CPG s. Possible involvement of certain identified genes in rhythmic motor activity is suggested for the first time (CG15630, Map205).

scholarly journals Trpm5 channels encode bistability of spinal motoneurons and ensure motor control of hindlimbs in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rémi Bos ◽  
Benoît Drouillas ◽  
Mouloud Bouhadfane ◽  
Emilie Pecchi ◽  
Virginie Trouplin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Spinal Motoneurons ◽  
Plateau Potential ◽  
Serca Pump ◽  
Pattern Generators ◽  
Postural Tone

AbstractBistable motoneurons of the spinal cord exhibit warmth-activated plateau potential driven by Na+ and triggered by a brief excitation. The thermoregulating molecular mechanisms of bistability and their role in motor functions remain unknown. Here, we identify thermosensitive Na+-permeable Trpm5 channels as the main molecular players for bistability in mouse motoneurons. Pharmacological, genetic or computational inhibition of Trpm5 occlude bistable-related properties (slow afterdepolarization, windup, plateau potentials) and reduce spinal locomotor outputs while central pattern generators for locomotion operate normally. At cellular level, Trpm5 is activated by a ryanodine-mediated Ca2+ release and turned off by Ca2+ reuptake through the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) pump. Mice in which Trpm5 is genetically silenced in most lumbar motoneurons develop hindlimb paresis and show difficulties in executing high-demanding locomotor tasks. Overall, by encoding bistability in motoneurons, Trpm5 appears indispensable for producing a postural tone in hindlimbs and amplifying the locomotor output.

scholarly journals Modulation of motoneurone excitability during rhythmic motor outputs

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (11) ◽  
pp. 1176-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin E. Power ◽  
Evan J. Lockyer ◽  
Davis A. Forman ◽  
Duane C. Button
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Central Pattern Generators ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Rhythmic Motor ◽  
Current State ◽  
Motor Outputs ◽  
Descending Input ◽  
Pattern Generators ◽  
Spinal Motoneurones

In quadrupeds, special circuity located within the spinal cord, referred to as central pattern generators (CPGs), is capable of producing complex patterns of activity such as locomotion in the absence of descending input. During these motor outputs, the electrical properties of spinal motoneurones are modulated such that the motoneurone is more easily activated. Indirect evidence suggests that like quadrupeds, humans also have spinally located CPGs capable of producing locomotor outputs, albeit descending input is considered to be of greater importance. Whether motoneurone properties are reconfigured in a similar manner to those of quadrupeds is unclear. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current state of knowledge regarding the modulation of motoneurone excitability during CPG-mediated motor outputs using animal models. This will be followed by more recent work initially aimed at understanding changes in motoneurone excitability during CPG-mediated motor outputs in humans, which quickly expanded to also include supraspinal excitability.

scholarly journals Maternal repression of the P element promoter in the germline of Drosophila melanogaster: a model for the P cytotype.

Genetics ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Lemaitre ◽  
S Ronsseray ◽  
D Coen
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Maternal Effect ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Maternal Inheritance ◽  
P Element ◽  
Fusion Genes ◽  
P Elements ◽  
Somatic Tissues ◽  
By Products

Abstract The transposition of P elements in Drosophila melanogaster is regulated by products encoded by the P elements themselves. The P cytotype, which represses transposition and associated phenomena, exhibits both a maternal effect and maternal inheritance. The genetic and molecular mechanisms of this regulation are complex and not yet fully understood. In a previous study, using P-lacZ fusion genes, we have shown that P element regulatory products were able to inhibit the activity of the P promoter in somatic tissues. However, the repression observed did not exhibit the maternal effect characteristic of the P cytotype. With a similar approach, we have assayed in vivo the effect of P element regulatory products in the germline. We show that the P cytotype is able to repress the P promoter in the germline as well as in the soma. Furthermore, this repression exhibits a maternal effect restricted to the germline. On the basis of these new observations, we propose a model for the mechanism of P cytotype repression and its maternal inheritance.

scholarly journals Molecular genetics of the Drosophila melanogaster ovo locus, a gene required for sex determination of germline cells.

Genetics ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 791-803
Author(s):  
M D Garfinkel ◽  
A R Lohe ◽  
A P Mahowald
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Genomic Dna ◽  
Transcription Unit ◽  
Complementation Group ◽  
P Element ◽  
Female Sterility ◽  
Germline Cells ◽  
Female Specific ◽  
Female Germline

Abstract The Drosophila melanogaster ovo gene is required for survival and differentiation of female germline cells, apparently playing a role in germline sex determination. We recovered 60 kb of genomic DNA from its genetic location at 4E1,2 on the X chromosome. A transcription unit coding for an apparently female-specific germline-dependent 5-kb poly(A)+ RNA size class is located substantially in a 7-kb region, within which three DNA-detectable lesions for mutations that inactivate the ovo function are located at two sites approximately 4 kb apart. The breakpoint of a deficiency that removes the neighboring lethal complementation group shavenbaby (svb) but leaves the ovo function intact maps approximately 5 kb to the molecular left of the leftmost ovo mutant site. A class of mutations that inactivates both the svb function and the ovo function affects genomic DNA between the two ovo sites. Sequences required for the two genetic functions are partly overlapping. In spite of this overlap, P element-mediated gene transfer of a 10-kb genomic DNA segment containing the 5-kb poly(A)+ RNA transcription unit rescues the female sterility phenotypes of ovo mutations, but not the svb lethality.

scholarly journals Locomotor activity of Drosophila melanogaster larvae with altered function of gene swiss cheese

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 37-40
Author(s):  
N. P. Matiytsiv ◽  
O. I. Trush ◽  
O. M. Gudyma ◽  
Ya. I. Chernyk
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Neuropathy Target Esterase ◽  
Spastic Paraplegia ◽  
Swiss Cheese ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Mutant Lines ◽  
First Time

Aim. Gene swiss cheese (sws) in Drosophila melanogaster is ortholog of human gene Neuropathy Target Esterase (NTE). Point mutation in this gene lead to many neurodegenerative disorders, such as Spastic Paraplegia. The aim of this study was to determine whether the change of gene sws function influence in Drosophila larvae motor behavior. Methods. We used two mutant lines: sws1 and sws76-15; transgenic lines for UAS-Gal4 controlled expression of SWS in moroneurons. Locomotor assay was performed in third-instar larvae. Results. We have found that larvae sws76-15 and sws1 showed significant decrease of motor behavior in comparison with wild type: sws1 has 35.4 %, and sws76-15 24.1 % difference with Oregon R. Functional knockout of sws in motoneuron showed decrease of motor activity as well – 16.5 % less than control. overexpression sequences of complete SWS protein in motoneurons causes significant increment in motor activity about 43.7 %. Esterase domen and three nucleotidbinding domains overexpression in larvae motoneurons had no differences compared to control. Conclusions. For the first time was shown a critical role of gene sws for larvae motor activity in D. melanogaster. Flies with altered sws function are good model of spastic paraplegia study. Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster, sws/NTE, neuropathy, locomotor behavior.

TAMM HORSFALL PROTEIN: THE MEN BEHIND THE EPONYM

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. Paskalev ◽  
B. T. Galunska ◽  
D. Petkova-Valkova
Keyword(s):  
Viral Replication ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Rockefeller Institute ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Natural Inhibitor ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
First Time ◽  
New Protein

Tamm–Horsfall Protein (uromodulin) is named after Igor Tamm and Franc Horsfall Jr who described it for the first time in 1952. It is a glycoprotein, secreted by the cells in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. This protein will perform a number of important pathophysiological functions, including protection against uroinfections, especially caused by E. Сoli, and protection against formation of calcium concernments in the kidney. Igor Tamm (1922-1995) is an outstanding cytologist, virologist and biochemist. He is one of the pioneers in the study of viral replication. He was born in Estonia and died in the USA. In 1964 he was elected for a professorship in Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, where has been working continuously. Since 1959, he became a head of the virology lab established by his mentor and co-author Franc Horsfall. In the course of studies on the natural inhibitor of viral replication, Tamm and Horsfall isolated and characterized biochemically a new protein named after their names. Franc Lappin Horsfall Jr (1906-1971) was a well-known clinician and virologist with remarkable achievements in internal medicine. He was born and died in the USA. He worked in the Rockefeller Hospital from 1934 to 1960, then in the Center for Cancer Research at the Sloan-Kettering Institute. Here he was a leader of a research team studying the molecular mechanisms of immunity, the effects of chemotherapy with benzimidazole compounds (together with I. Tamm), coxsackie viruses, herpes simplex virus, etc. 

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