Testing candidate genes for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in fruit flies using a high throughput assay for complex behavior |
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| Authors: | Palle Duun Rohde Lisbeth Strøm Madsen Sandra Marie Neumann Arvidson Volker Loeschcke Ditte Demontis Torsten Nygaard Kristensen |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark;2. The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark;3. Center for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark;4. Section of Biology and Environmental Science, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark;5. Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark;6. The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark;7. Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark |
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| Abstract: | Fruit flies are important model organisms for functional testing of candidate genes in multiple disciplines, including the study of human diseases. Here we use a high-throughput locomotor activity assay to test the response on activity behavior of gene disruption in Drosophila melanogaster. The aim was to investigate the impact of disruption of 14 candidate genes for human attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on fly behavior. By obtaining a range of correlated measures describing the space of variables for behavioral activity we show, that some mutants display similar phenotypic responses, and furthermore, that the genes disrupted in those mutants had common molecular functions; namely processes related to cGMP activity, cation channels and serotonin receptors. All but one of the candidate genes resulted in aberrant behavioral activity, suggesting involvement of these genes in behavioral activity in fruit flies. Results provide additional support for the investigated genes being risk candidate genes for ADHD in humans. |
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| Keywords: | locomotor activity fruit flies attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ADHD candidate genes Video tracking |
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