Assessing the role of Drosophila melanogaster neuroligin 3 on social spacing and climbing behaviour
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders can be clinically defined in part by impairments of social interactions. Social interactions can be modeled in Drosophila melanogaster with behaviours such as social spacing. Here, I examined the effects of autism-related gene neuroligin 3 on fly social spacing. I hypothesized if neuroligin 3 is mutated or gene expression is targeted for knockdown, then flies will have altered social space in males and females at different ages. Using the social space assay, I found that different mutations to neuroligin 3 change the fly’s behavior, in a mutation and sex-specific manner. Using an antibody against Nlg3, I localized the protein within the mushroom bodies and protocerebral bridge of the fly brain. Using targeted knockdown, I determined that the nlg3 gene in the protocerebral bridge was necessary for proper climbing. The results were inconclusive with regard to an effect on social space.