|
| |
|
|
|
|
||||
| Home Help Feedback Subscriptions Archive Search Table of Contents | ||||
Neurogenetics and Behaviour in Insects
1 Institut für Genetik und Mikrobiologie Röntgenring 11, 8700 Würzburg, West Germany
The importance of the genome for behaviour has been amply demonstrated by the tools of population genetics. A deeper understanding of the relationship between genes and behaviour requires an investigation of how they influence brain development and neuronal function. This is the objective of neurogenetics. Rigid genetic control of brain structure in insects is indicated by bilateral symmetry and by the similarity of isogenic brains (in locust). In large parts of the brain (e.g. optic lobes) the role of developmental variability seems to be as limited as in nematodes, but at closer inspection, the growth of at least some brain structures (e.g. mushroom bodies) is influenced by experience, similar to the growth of some vertebrate systems. The role of individual genes for brain development and brain function is being studied in Drosophila melanogaster. Here, many single gene mutations affecting the brain and behaviour have been isolated. They either alter the development of neural circuits or modify cellular functions of neurones. Mutations of both categories are often remarkably specific (i.e. they influence only certain functional subsystems, leaving others unaffected). Therefore, functional subsystems are to some degree ontogenetic units under independent genetic control. Telling examples are sexual dimorphisms of behaviour and brain structure. The already peripheral separation of functional pathways in the brain seems to be partially due to the selective advantage of independent genetic modifiability of functions.
Key words: Brain development, genetic control, brain mutants
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  O. Ruppell, T. Pankiw, and R. E. Page Jr. Pleiotropy, Epistasis and New QTL: The Genetic Architecture of Honey Bee Foraging Behavior J. Hered., November 1, 2004; 95(6): 481 - 491. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. F. Tammero, M. A. Frye, and M. H. Dickinson Spatial organization of visuomotor reflexes in Drosophila J. Exp. Biol., January 1, 2004; 207(1): 113 - 122. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. B. Raich, C. Moorman, C. O. Lacefield, J. Lehrer, D. Bartsch, R. H. A. Plasterk, E. R. Kandel, and O. Hobert Characterization of Caenorhabditis elegans Homologs of the Down Syndrome Candidate Gene DYRK1A Genetics, February 1, 2003; 163(2): 571 - 580. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W. Becker, Y. Weber, K. Wetzel, K. Eirmbter, F. J. Tejedor, and H.-G. Joost Sequence Characteristics, Subcellular Localization, and Substrate Specificity of DYRK-related Kinases, a Novel Family of Dual Specificity Protein Kinases J. Biol. Chem., October 2, 1998; 273(40): 25893 - 25902. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R Phillis, D Statton, P Caruccio, and R. Murphey Mutations in the 8 kDa dynein light chain gene disrupt sensory axon projections in the Drosophila imaginal CNS Development, January 10, 1996; 122(10): 2955 - 2963. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Ferveur, K. Stortkuhl, R. Stocker, and R. Greenspan Genetic feminization of brain structures and changed sexual orientation in male Drosophila Science, February 10, 1995; 267(5199): 902 - 905. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Hall The mating of a fly Science, June 17, 1994; 264(5166): 1702 - 1714. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. S. Dushay, M. Rosbash, and J. C. Hall The disconnected Visual System Mutations in Drosophila melanogaster Drastically Disrupt Circadian Rhythms J Biol Rhythms, March 1, 1989; 4(1): 1 - 27. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
