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Expression of human PQBP-1 in Drosophila impairs long-term memory and induces abnormal courtship
Natsue Yoshimura1, Daisuke Horiuchi, Masao Shibata
1Department of Neuropathology, Medical Research Institute and Center of Excellence Program for Brain Integration and Its Disorders, Tokyo Medical and Dental University 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Abstract:
Frame shift mutations of the polyglutamine binding protein-1 (PQBP1) gene lead to total or partial truncation of the C-terminal domain (CTD) and cause mental retardation in human patients. Interestingly, normal Drosophila homologue of PQBP-1 lacks CTD. As a model to analyze the molecular network of PQBP-1 affecting intelligence, we generated transgenic flies expressing human PQBP-1 with CTD. Pavlovian olfactory conditioning revealed that the transgenic flies showed disturbance of long-term memory. In addition, they showed abnormal courtship that male flies follow male flies. Abnormal functions of PQBP-1 or its binding partner might be linked to these symptoms.
