Dopamine Dynamics and Signaling in Drosophila:
An Overview of Genes,Drugs and Behavioral Paradigms |
| |
| Authors: | Shinya Yamamoto Elaine S Seto |
| |
| Institution: | 1)Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston,TX77030, USA;2)Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1250 Moursund Street, Houston, TX77030, USA;3)Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 6701 Fannin Street, Houston TX 77030, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Changes in dopamine (DA) signaling have been implicated in a number of human neurologic
and psychiatric disorders. Similarly, defects in DA signaling in the fruit fly,
Drosophila melanogaster, have also been associated with several
behavioral defects. As most genes involved in DA synthesis, transport, secretion, and
signaling are conserved between species, Drosophila is a powerful genetic
model organism to study the regulation of DA signaling in vivo. In this
review, we will provide an overview of the genes and drugs that regulate DA biology in
Drosophila. Furthermore, we will discuss the behavioral paradigms that
are regulated by DA signaling in flies. By analyzing the genes and neuronal circuits that
govern such behaviors using sophisticated genetic, pharmacologic, electrophysiologic, and
imaging approaches in Drosophila, we will likely gain a better
understanding about how this neuromodulator regulates motor tasks and cognition in
humans. |
| |
| Keywords: | behavior cuticle pigmentation dopamine Drosophila genetics |
|
|
