| Popis: |
Autism spectrum disorders can be clinically defined in part by impairments of social interactions. Social interactions can be modeled in Drosophila melanogaster with behaviours such as social spacing. Here, I examined the effects of autism-related gene neuroligin 3 on fly social spacing. I hypothesized if neuroligin 3 is mutated or gene expression is targeted for knockdown, then flies will have altered social space in males and females at different ages. Using the social space assay, I found that different mutations to neuroligin 3 change the fly’s behavior, in a mutation and sex-specific manner. Using an antibody against Nlg3, I localized the protein within the mushroom bodies and protocerebral bridge of the fly brain. Using targeted knockdown, I determined that the nlg3 gene in the protocerebral bridge was necessary for proper climbing. The results were inconclusive with regard to an effect on social space. |
