TURNER, A.C.*; DASARI, S.; COOPER, R.L.; LaFayette High School, Lexington; Univ. of KY, Lexington; Univ. of KY, Lexington: Influence of the Dopamine and Serotonergic System on Physiology, Development and Behavior of Drosophila melanogaster

The dopamine and serotonergic system in the nervous tissue is known to play a vital role in development and behavior in simple to complex animal models. Previously we showed the physiological sensitivity of exogenous application of serotonin (5HT) and dopamine on sensory-CNS-motor circuit in a semi-intact preparation of Drosophila 3rd instar larvae. Feeding p-CPA (a blocker of 5HT biosynthesis pathway) from 1st to 3rd instar resulted in slowing of the growth compared to controls. The rate of body wall and mouth hooks movements are reduced in p-CPA fed larvae compared to controls. HPLC analysis shows a reduction in 5HT in the larval CNS of animals fed p-CPA. Animals were also fed AMVT (a blocker for dopamine production). When AMVT is given to first and second instar larvae, a concentration of 0.0005g/0.5ml water resulted in death, even when the second instar larvae were administered the drug for twelve hours then non-tainted food. All the animals died within 24 hours of first being exposed to AMVT. When 3rd instar larvae were fed the drug they lived. The third instar larvae have a higher tolerance of AMVT than earlier stages of larvae and when fed the drug. Time to pupation was not altered in 3rd instars, but they died readily if stressed by heat or physically. Immunocytochemistry staining is also being used to confirm the HPLC results and localization of drug effects. Funded by KY Young Researchers Program, Univ. KY (A.CT) Dept. of Biology G. Ribble Fellowship (SD) & NSF-IBN-0131459 (RLC).