Meeting Abstract
P3.84 Jan. 6 EFFECTS OF THE SEROTONERGIC SYSTEM ON PHYSIOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER COOPER, R.L.*; TURNER, A.C.; DASARI, S.; Dept. Biology, Univ of KY; Dept. Biology, Univ of KY; Dept. Biology, Univ of KY RLCOOP1@pop.uky.edu
The serotonergic system in nervous tissue is known to play a vital role in development and behavior in simple to complex animal models. Using a simple model organism, Drosophila, the importance of serotonin (5-HT) circuitry in development and acute actions can be addressed. Also there are only four 5HT receptors in the Drosophila genome, of which 5-HT2dro is known to be essential in the embryonic stages of development. Previously we have shown a physiological sensitivity of exogenous application of 5-HT on a sensory-CNS-motor circuit in semi-intact preparations of 3rd instar larvae. Now, using pharmacological manipulations and available receptor mutants for 5HT2dro, we are studying the role of 5-HT in development, behavior and physiology of a 3rd instar larvae. Para-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA), is a blocker of 5-HT biosynthesis pathway and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy), is a common drug of abuse in humans, which is known to compel mammalian serotonergic neurons to release 5-HT. When fed these compounds from 1st to 3rd instar a slowing of the growth occurred in a dose dependent manner. The rate of body wall and mouth hook movements were reduced in p-CPA and MDMA fed larvae. HPLC results showed lower amounts of 5-HT in larval brains for p-CPA and MDMA fed larvae. Sensitivity of sensory-CNS-motor circuit to 5-HT in drug fed larvae is being tested. We are assessing role of 5-HT in temperature sensitive mutant lines for 5-HT2dro receptor. Both the mutant lines showed a decrease in body wall and mouth hook movements, and slower development as compared to controls. Currently we are investigating the sensitivity of the mutant larvae CNS to exogenously applied 5-HT. In addition, we are assessing associative gustatory and olfactory learning behaviors in 3rd instar larvae in respect to these studies
