Gene Expression Changes in the Mushroom Body of Drosophila melanogaster During a Time Course of Long-Term Memory Formation and Maintenance

Author

Spencer G. Jones, The University of Western OntarioFollow

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Biology

Supervisor

Kramer, Jamie M

Abstract

Long-term memory (LTM) requires gene transcription. However, there is still much to learn about which genes are transcriptionally regulated during LTM and the biological roles they play. Here, gene expression changes were characterized in Drosophila melanogaster over a time course of LTM formation and maintenance in neurons of the mushroom body (MB), a structure required for normal learning and memory. I identified 120 genes differentially expressed (q < 0.2, fold change > 1.3) 24h after LTM induction. Among these were 13 potential downstream targets for RNA localization by the known memory genes pumilo, staufen and oskar, several genes encoding chromatin regulators and seven genes with cAMP response elements (CRE) that may be regulated by cAMP response element binding (CREB)-mediated transcription. Taken together, the results of this study provide a rich data-set of transcriptionally-regulated LTM candidate genes for further study.

Recommended Citation

Jones, Spencer G., "Gene Expression Changes in the Mushroom Body of Drosophila melanogaster During a Time Course of Long-Term Memory Formation and Maintenance" (2017). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 5045.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/5045