Abnormal social interactions in a Drosophila mutant of an autism candidate gene: Neuroligin 3

Authors

Ryley T. Yost, Western University
J. Wesley Robinson, Western University
Carling M. Baxter, McMaster University
Andrew M. Scott, McMaster University
Liam P. Brown, Western University
M. Sol Aletta, Western University
Ramtin Hakimjavadi, Western University
Asad Lone, Western University
Robert C. Cumming, Western UniversityFollow
Reuven Dukas, McMaster University
Brian Mozer, Office of Research Integrity
Anne F. Simon, Western University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2020

Journal

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Volume

21

Issue

13

First Page

1

Last Page

20

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.3390/ijms21134601

Abstract

Social interactions are typically impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, for which the genetic underpinnings are very complex. Social interactions can be modeled by analysis of behaviors, including social spacing, sociability, and aggression, in simpler organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we examined the effects of mutants of the autism-related gene neuroligin 3 (nlg3) on fly social and non-social behaviors. Startled-induced negative geotaxis is affected by a loss of function nlg3 mutation. Social space and aggression are also altered in a sex-and social-experience-specific manner in nlg3 mutant flies. In light of the conserved roles that neuroligins play in social behavior, our results offer insight into the regulation of social behavior in other organisms, including humans.