Prenatal exposure to ethanol in mammals leads to a range of developmental problems, from growth deficiency to mental retardation and behavioral abnormalities. In humans, these symptoms are collectively described as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Ethanol exposure is especially damaging to the developing nervous system and this has long-term consequences on adult behavior. The toxicity of developmental ethanol exposure has been attributed to numerous mechanisms, including ethanol metabolism and related oxidative stress, neuronal cell loss, and inhibition of growth factors and/or their signal transduction pathways. Finally, while human epidemiological data, twin studies, and animal models indicate that genetic factors confer risk for and protection from fetal alcohol injury, no genes altering susceptibility to FAS have been conclusively identified. The goal of our research is to identify and study the molecular targets of developmental ethanol using the genetically amenable model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, has been utilized extensively in biological research, particularly in genetics and development. Drosophila are particularly amenable to sophisticated genetic analyses, including genomic approaches, reverse and molecular genetics, and traditional forward genetic screens. Moreover, over a century of research has led to an extensive collection of genomic, molecular and genetic tools, making Drosophila tremendously powerful in the elucidation of gene function. We have developed a genetic model of FAS in flies. We have shown that developmental ethanol exposure causes reduced viability and growth delay. In addition, as in mammals, flies reared on ethanol have altered behavioral responses to ethanol intoxication as adults. Finally, we have found that the developmental and behavioral defects are due to ethanol's effects on insulin signaling, as well as effects on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EgfR) pathway. Our research will further elucidate the role of insulin signaling in the development of FAS, as well as identify additional genetic and cellular targets of developmental ethanol exposure, both downstream and independent of insulin signaling.
Our specific aims are: 1) to determine the role of the EgfR pathway in ethanol's effects on growth, viability, and behavior, 2) to investigate the role of insulin signaling in the development of tolerance in ethanol-reared flies, and 3) to identiy ethanol's molecular targets through microarray analysis.

Public Health Relevance

FAS is the leading cause of congenital mental retardation in the Western world. Despite the growing awareness of the dangers of drinking during pregnancy, the worldwide prevalence of FAS remains steady at one to three per 1000 births. The high frequency of FAS coupled with the failure of public awareness programs highlights the need for an understanding of the molecular basis of FAS and the development of novel treatments to mitigate the complications of gestational ethanol exposure.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Continuance Award (SC3)
Project #
5SC3GM103739-03
Application #
8791912
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZGM1-TWD-Y (SC))
Program Officer
Okita, Richard T
Project Start
2013-03-01
Project End
2017-01-31
Budget Start
2015-02-01
Budget End
2016-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$107,550
Indirect Cost
$32,550
Name
San Jose State University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
056820715
City
San Jose
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95112
Guevara, Amanda; Gates, Hillary; Urbina, Brianna et al. (2018) Developmental Ethanol Exposure Causes Reduced Feeding and Reveals a Critical Role for Neuropeptide F in Survival. Front Physiol 9:237
Logan-Garbisch, Theresa; Bortolazzo, Anthony; Luu, Peter et al. (2014) Developmental ethanol exposure leads to dysregulation of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in Drosophila. G3 (Bethesda) 5:49-59