38th Annual Student Research Conference
The Effect of Knocking Down an ALS Gene in Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Glia
Elaine C. Gast
Dr. Brett A Berke, Faculty Mentor
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that causes progressive motor neuron death, leading to muscle atrophy. The most common genetic risk factors for ALS are mutations affecting the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene. The normal function of the SOD1 protein is to reduce harmful forms of oxygen. Recent data from human tissue and mouse models shows that prior to motor neuron death, the BBB, which excludes unwanted molecules from the brain, becomes leaky. However, the cause of BBB leakiness is unknown. Using Drosophila, we found that an SOD1 knockdown in BBB glia reduced fly lifespan more than a knockdown in neurons. To test the effects of a glial SOD1 knockdown on BBB leakiness, we are injecting flies with a fluorescent dye that should be excluded by a healthy barrier. Structural changes in the fly BBB would support the hypothesis that BBB leakiness contributes to motor neuron death in ALS.
Keywords: ALS, SOD1, Drosophila, Blood-Brain Barrier
Topic(s):Biology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 107-3
Location: MG 2001
Time: 9:15