Genetic and cellular mechanisms generating sexually dimorphic neuronal structures and behavior in Drosophila

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24700309
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neuroscience in general
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Sato Kosei 東北大学, 生命科学研究科, 助教 (40451611)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: ショウジョウバエ / 性行動 / 脳 / 性差 / fruitless / RNAスプライシング / ユビキチン / BTB/POZ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The Drosophila gene fruitless produces male-specific Fruitless, which orchestrates the expression of ~100 target genes, although their transcription is not always sex-specific. This study shows that Fruitless produces sex differences in a target gene product Lola by blocking its proteolysis; males with Fruitless acquire full-length Lola whereas females acquire a Lola proteolytic product, and both Lola products induce distinct sex-specific neural characteristics. Fruitless transcribes lola, protects Lola from proteolysis and forms a complex with Lola for transcriptional regulation. This triad of interactions control neuronal sexual differentiation underlying gendered behavior in Drosophila.

Free Research Field

神経遺伝学