Neuromodulation is important for behavioral plasticity. The overall goal of this study is to explore the molecular and biochemical nature of this link. Novel dopamine and octopamine receptors of Drosophila have been isolated and shown to have highly enriched expression in the mushroom bodies, a brain structure indispensable for olfactory learning. The receptors produce increases in cAMP and intracellular Ca2+, key mediators of signal transduction pathways crucial for synaptic plasticity. Using recently isolated receptor mutants, the studies will focus on addressing three fundamental questions. 1) Do the receptors play a role in associative learning? 2) Do the receptor mutants fail at all types of learning or is there a selective deficit? 3) Which effector systems, cAMP and/or Ca2+, are responsible for any behavioral deficits observed? Given the diversity and complexity of behavior, comparative studies of the receptor mutants in behavioral paradigms should help dissect the elaborate physiological processes underlying behavioral plasticity. These studies may help to understand the roles for biogenic amines in human diseases, such as schizophrenia, and the actions of biogenic amine receptors in cognition.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS038346-03
Application #
6151628
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-4 (03))
Program Officer
Nichols, Paul L
Project Start
1999-02-01
Project End
2004-01-31
Budget Start
2000-02-01
Budget End
2001-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$195,814
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802
Park, Dongkook; Han, Mei; Kim, Young-Cho et al. (2004) Ap-let neurons--a peptidergic circuit potentially controlling ecdysial behavior in Drosophila. Dev Biol 269:95-108
Lee, Hyun-Gwan; Seong, Chang-Soo; Kim, Young-Cho et al. (2003) Octopamine receptor OAMB is required for ovulation in Drosophila melanogaster. Dev Biol 264:179-90
Kim, Young-Cho; Lee, Hyun-Gwan; Seong, Chang-Soo et al. (2003) Expression of a D1 dopamine receptor dDA1/DmDOP1 in the central nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. Gene Expr Patterns 3:237-45