Characterization of a M6 hypomorphic mutant in the fruit fly

MP ZAPPIA; S BILLI; C REZÁVAL; M BROCCO; MF CERIANI; AC FRASCH

Casa Serrana, Huerta Grande, Córdoba

Congreso; I Reunión Conjunta de Neurociencias; 2009

TAN, SAN

Neuronal remodeling is a fundamental process by which the brain responds to environmental influences (i.e., stress). The glycoprotein M6a was identified as a stress-responsive gene in the hippocampus of treated animals. Our findings indicate that M6a plays an important role in neurite outgrowth and filopodium/spine formation. Based on evolutionary studies and bioinformatics we decided to characterize m6, the ortholog of m6a, in D. melanogaster. To investigate the molecular and cellular function of M6, M6 mutant flies were subjected to behavioral tests (climbing ability (negative geotaxis?), locomotor activity, rest/activity cycles) and the effect of exposure to stress conditions (extreme temperatures, an oxidative agent and starvation) on life span. Interestingly, M6 mutant flies specifically exhibited reduced global locomotor activity, not showing significant differences in any other behavioral paradigm. Next, we examined M6 expression in the fly brain employing a GFP enhancer trap line expressing GFP::M6C. M6 is expressed in the mushroom bodies, optic lobes and central body complex, but a more detailed analysis including specific structural markers is still required. During the characterization of a hypomorph mutation in M6 we noticed that M6 mutant females are sterile. Eggs laid from mutant flies showed severe defects, collapsing soon after they are laid. Immunohistochemistry is underway to shed light on this issue. In depth characterization of such phenotypes will enable a thorough analysis of M6 function at the cellular and molecular level in both reproductive and nervous systems.