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Epigenetic mechanisms modulate differences in Drosophila foraging behavior.

Ina Anreiter1,2, Jamie M Kramer3,4, Marla B Sokolowski5,2

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5S 3B2.

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Genetic variation and epigenetic marks interact to influence behavior. The G9a gene modifies the foraging gene, impacting foraging behavior in Drosophila melanogaster through histone methylation.

Keywords:
Drosophila melanogasterbehaviorepigeneticsforaginghistone methylation

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral genetics
  • Epigenetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster research

Background:

  • The foraging (for) gene influences behavioral differences between rover and sitter Drosophila strains.
  • Molecular mechanisms linking for gene variation to behavior are not well understood.
  • Interactions between genetic variation and epigenetic marks in shaping behavior are largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which the for gene regulates strain-specific foraging behavior.
  • To investigate the role of epigenetic modifications in mediating behavioral differences.
  • To determine if epigenetic regulators interact with genetic variation to establish behavioral polymorphisms.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of histone methylation patterns at the for promoter (pr4) in rover and sitter strains.
  • Gene expression analysis of for RNA levels.
  • Assessment of foraging behavior scores.
  • Utilizing G9a null mutant alleles to test necessity.
  • Transgenic manipulation to reduce pr4 expression in sitter strains.

Main Results:

  • Rovers exhibit higher pr4 H3K9me dimethylation, lower for RNA expression, and higher foraging scores compared to sitters.
  • G9a is essential for rover-sitter behavioral differences, as these disappear in G9a null mutants.
  • Reducing pr4 expression transgenically in sitters successfully phenocopies rover foraging behavior.
  • Demonstrated allele-specific histone methylation of the for promoter (pr4) mediated by G9a.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic variation interacts with the epigenetic modifier G9a to produce differences in for gene expression.
  • This interaction establishes a behavioral polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms, specifically histone methylation, play a crucial role in mediating the effects of genetic variation on behavior.