Molecular genetic analyses of the mechanisms of neural circuit fine branching in the learning and memory centers of Drosophila
Project/Area Number |
24570229
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
Section | 一般 |
Research Field |
Developmental biology
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Research Institution | University of Tsukuba |
Principal Investigator |
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Project Period (FY) |
2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
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Project Status |
Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
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Budget Amount *help |
¥5,590,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,290,000)
Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
|
Keywords | ショウジョウバエ / 脳 / 学習・記憶 / 神経回路 / 精神疾患 / 発生 |
Outline of Final Research Achievements |
The maturation and adaptation of the neural circuits in the brain is achieved via multiple steps involving axonal terminal branching, pruning of excess dendrites, and control of synaptogenesis. In this study, we utilized fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control the functional maturation and maximum tuning of neurocircuits in the brain, and analyzed fine branching patterns at the axonal termini and synapse formation. By the use of genetic screening, we have identified several key molecules that control these processes. Moreover, to extend this study to higher order brain functions, we have developed a novel technique that enables artificial induction of olfactory memory in living larvae. Our study has disclosed intriguing molecular genetic mechanisms of functional tuning of the neural circuits, and identified genes that are conserved in humans as risk factors for diverse mental disorders.
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Report
(4 results)
Research Products
(16 results)
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[Presentation] Genetical Interactions of Autism and Schizophrenia Risk Factor Genes in Glutamatergic Synaptogenesis in Fruit Flies2014
Author(s)
Kurita, K., Pandey, H., Arai, Y., Yoshimura, Y., and Furukubo-Tokunaga, K.
Organizer
European Conference on Neurobiology of Drosophila,
Place of Presentation
Crete, Greece
Year and Date
2014-10-05 – 2014-10-09
Related Report
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[Presentation] Modeling Schizophrenia in Flies: Direct Expression of DISC1 Suppresses Neural Development in Drosophila.2013
Author(s)
Kurita, K., Tanaka, D., Pandey, H., Arai, Y., Ikejiri, K., Honda, T., and Furukubo-Tokunaga, K.
Organizer
Asia Pacific Drosophila Research Conference
Place of Presentation
Seoul, Korea
Related Report
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[Presentation] Modeling Schizophrenia in Flies: Direct Expression of DISC1, Alters Sleep Homeostasis and Impairs Associative Learning in Drosophila2012
Author(s)
Kurita, K., Tanaka, D., Pandey, H., Takayama, K., Ando, T., Ando, M., Honjo, K., Mochizuki, H., Sawa, A., and Furukubo-Tokunaga, K.
Organizer
XIV European Drosophila Neurobiology Conference
Place of Presentation
Padova, Italy
Related Report
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[Presentation] Direct Expression of a Schizophrenia Susceptibility Gene, DISC1, Suppresses Neural development in Drosophila2012
Author(s)
Kurita, K., Tanaka, D., Honda, T., Pandey, H., Arai, Y., Ikejiri, K., and Furukubo-Tokunaga, K.
Organizer
5th Japan China Korea Graduate Student Forum
Place of Presentation
筑波大学
Related Report
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