Behavioral Effects of Serotonin Transporter Overexpression in Drosophila melanogaster

Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Keywords

Serotonin, Serotonin Transporter, Aggression, UAS-GAL4, Drosophila, Male-Male Courtship

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

Serotonin is the molecule most frequently implicated in the modulation of aggression in mammals. Recent findings have brought into question previous suspicions that aggression in Drosophila melanogaster is unaffected by the serotonergic system. Development of a novel transgene based on the promoter of tryptophan hydroxylase can now be used to spatially restrict genetic manipulations to serotonin positive cells in the central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila melanogaster. By pairing this promoter with the GAL4-UAS system endogenous overexpression of serotonin transporter (SERT) was driven in the CNS, and behavioral effects were characterized using an aggression assay. SERT overexpressing flies showed a predisposition to male-male courtship, exemplified by an increase in mutual singing during the beginning of the observation period. Overexpression of SERT resulting in altered fight dynamics. SERT overexpressing flies were less aggressive during the middle of the observation period in regards to lunging behav or. Provisional examination of temperature sensitive GAL80 dependant overexpression of SERT found the period of heat shock necessary to cause temporally restricted overexpression. Future comparisons between the behavioral phenotype that has been characterized and behavioral phenotypes yet to be characterized may provide insights into the dynamics of the serotonergic system.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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