The Effects of Overexpressing K2p Channels in Various Tissues on Physiology and Behaviors

Two-pore-domain K⁺ channels (K2p), known previously as leak channels, are responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells. Fifteen subtypes are known to exist in humans and eleven are known in Drosophila melanogaster, as well as six subfamilies; however, little is known about the expression of these subtypes in various animal tissues or the impact of altered expression on cellular physiology. The Drosophila melanogaster model allows for selective misexpression of certain neuron subsets, providing insight into individual cell types and the animal's physiology more generally. Prior research on the overexpression of K2p channels and the resulting behavioral and neuronal effects is limited. This project expanded upon this prior research by using Drosophila motor neurons to examine the effects of K2p overexpression on behavior and physiology. After conducting various assays, it was concluded that K2p overexpression in motor neurons had the most prominent effects on Drosophila functioning, with sensory, cardiac, and chordotonal neurons also generating differences in behavior. Altered expression levels of K2p channels could result in tissue-specific and/or whole-animal dysfunction.