Publications by authors named "Greg Lnenicka"
Article Synopsis
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in regulating synaptic structure and function, specifically the miR-310-313 cluster, which is essential for proper neurotransmission at the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction.
- Loss of the miR-310-313 cluster results in enhanced neurotransmitter release, but this can be reversed by reintroducing the miRNA in presynaptic neurons.
- The miR-310-313 cluster targets the Khc-73 protein, and its repression is necessary for maintaining normal synaptic function and homeostasis, as evidenced by increased levels of active zone proteins in cluster mutants.
Considerable progress has been made over the past couple of decades concerning the molecular bases of neurobehavioral function and dysfunction. The field of neurobehavioral genetics is becoming mature. Genetic factors contributing to neurologic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease have been found and evidence for genetic factors contributing to other diseases such as schizophrenia and autism are likely.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe developed Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study correlated behavioral, neuronal and genetic effects of the neurotoxin lead, known to affect cognitive and behavioral development in children. We showed that, as in vertebrates, lead affects both synaptic development and complex behaviors (courtship, fecundity, locomotor activity) in Drosophila. By assessing differential behavioral responses to developmental lead exposure among recombinant inbred Drosophila lines (RI), derived from parental lines Oregon R and Russian 2b, we have now identified a genotype by environment interaction (GEI) for a behavioral trait affected by lead.
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