[Genetic determinants of generating the motor pattern of rhythmic movements in Drosophila melanogaster].

To investigate molecular and cellular mechanisms of central pattern generators (CPG) functioning, we previously selected candidate genes mutations of which are accompanied with deviations in Drosophila melanogaster motor activity. In this research we tested locomotor parameters in lines with post transcriptional silencing of 12 candidate gene in Drosophila central nervous system. Silencing was provided by synthesis of interfering RNA by means of GAL4/UAS system under control of CNS-specific gene promoters (elav, nrv2, appl, tsh). It was found that RNA interference of most genes are accompanied with changes in one or several locomotor parameters. Pattern of revealed deviations under control of different promotors makes it possible to determine the genes that activity in nervous system is necessary for proper functioning of locomotor CPG.

[Novel memory mutants in Drosophila: behavioral characteristics of the P-insertional mutant in the Ent2P locus].

The Drosophila mutant P124, carrying insertion of P(lacW) vector in the second chromosome on the background of the w mutation in the X chromosome, was previously isolated as showing memory deficiency after courtship conditioning. Here we report additional features of the mutant phenotype: (1) abnormal adaptation to dark-light transition; (2) impaired perception by males of nuances of visual image of a female, specifically, of her fine movements such as preening and ovipositor extrusion; (3) subnormal performance index after odor-shock conditioning. These abnormalities are not related to a deficit of the eye screening pigments because they are also revealed on the background of the normal w+ allele in the X chromosome. The visual and cognitive impairments are independent pleiotropic effects of the mutation. The mutation is caused by insertion of the P vector 12 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start of the gene Ent2 (equilibrative nucleoside transporter 2). Ent2(P124) is the second mutant allele of this gene found in Drosophila. The genetic variability in Ent2 locus should be considered as a factor of risk for development of mental retardation and disorders of visual perception.

[Comparative study of four P-insertional memory-deficient Drosophila mutants]. / Sravnitel'noe izuchenie chetyrekh P-insertsionnykh mutantov drozofily s defektami pamiati.

The previously suggested physiological model of conditioned courtship suppression in Drosophila was experimentally supported through investigation into the behaviour of the mutant males in two tests: the memory retention test and the retraining test. The mutations disrupted both types of the conditioned connections predicted by the model: association between conditioned and unconditioned stimuli and association between the conditioned stimulus and the aversive motivational system mediating the response to the unconditioned stimulus. The third category of mutants (P95, P124) appears to disrupt the function of the aversive motivational system.

[Isolation of memory-deficient Drosophila mutants in conditioned courtship suppression paradigm]. / Vyiavlenie mutantov drozofily, proiavliaiushchikh defekty pamiati posle vyrabotki uslovnoreflektornogo podavleniia ukhazhivaniia.

Among 33 mutant stocks of Drosophila melanogaster generated by means of P-insertional mutagenesis in the system with single P element, 4 stocks have been isolated as demonstrating deficient memory in the conditioned courtship suppression paradigm. Localization of the P insertions never coincided with that of previously known mutations affecting memory.