Event Title

Expression of a Mutant Form of a Human Dementia-Related Gene in the Drosophila Brain is Capable of Disrupting Circadian Rhythms

Location

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Start Date

30-4-2015 9:00 AM

End Date

30-4-2015 10:55 AM

Project Type

Poster

Description

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common age correlated dementia. One protein implicated in FTD is CHMP2B, which when mutated can cause disruptions in the functioning of an ESCRT-III component. ESCRT proteins are required for the forming of multivesicular bodies, an important component of the endosomal-lysosomal pathway. Disruptions in this pathway are linked to numerous diseases including Huntingtons disease, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, and FTD. FTD, as well as many other neurodegenerative diseases, has been shown to disrupt the sleep-wake cycles of patients dictated by circadian rhythms. Here we show that misexpression of a mutant form of CHMP2B in the Drosophila nervous system using the GAL4-UAS system leads to disruption of circadian rhythms. We have also attempted to characterize the expression patterns of several circadian-rhythm driver lines so that in the future we may determine if the disruption is due to expression of CHMP2B in pacemaker cells. Specific results will be further discussed.

Sponsoring Department

Colby College. Biology Dept.

CLAS Field of Study

Natural Sciences

Event Website

http://www.colby.edu/clas

ID

1075

Share

COinS
 
Apr 30th, 9:00 AM Apr 30th, 10:55 AM

Expression of a Mutant Form of a Human Dementia-Related Gene in the Drosophila Brain is Capable of Disrupting Circadian Rhythms

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common age correlated dementia. One protein implicated in FTD is CHMP2B, which when mutated can cause disruptions in the functioning of an ESCRT-III component. ESCRT proteins are required for the forming of multivesicular bodies, an important component of the endosomal-lysosomal pathway. Disruptions in this pathway are linked to numerous diseases including Huntingtons disease, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, and FTD. FTD, as well as many other neurodegenerative diseases, has been shown to disrupt the sleep-wake cycles of patients dictated by circadian rhythms. Here we show that misexpression of a mutant form of CHMP2B in the Drosophila nervous system using the GAL4-UAS system leads to disruption of circadian rhythms. We have also attempted to characterize the expression patterns of several circadian-rhythm driver lines so that in the future we may determine if the disruption is due to expression of CHMP2B in pacemaker cells. Specific results will be further discussed.

https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2015/program/99