33rd Annual Student Research Conference
A ROLE FOR THE NUMB PROTEIN IN DROSOPHILA LOCOMOTION
Nick M. Pritchett *, Mary K. Renkemeyer , and Andrew F. Galbraith
Dr. Brett A. Berke, Faculty Mentor
Drosophila (fruit fly) larvae have been studied to better understand the genetic basis of behavior. Proteins that regulate larval crawling change neuronal development or connectivity, especially at the NMJ, the site where motoneurons contact muscle fibers. The Numb adaptor protein influences stem cell division, but its roles in behavior and synapse development are unknown. Neuronal knock down of Numb increased the frequency of larval ‘searching’, when the larva pauses forward locomotion, swings its head, and changes direction. Knocking down Numb in muscle did not show any change in searching, suggesting important interactions with proteins that regulate neural communication, growth, or activity. Numb’s role in searching was proven by rescuing the defect with a similar protein from mice. Analysis of the larval NMJ indicates that Numb may be necessary for synaptic development and function. These studies begin to identify how the Numb protein influences the neuromuscular system to affect behavior.
Keywords: Drosophila, Numb, Animal Behavior, Synapse
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA