Manganese affects behavior of Drosophila melanogaster by altering biogenic amine levels in brain
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1
Washington University, Biology, United States
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2
Macquarie University, Australia
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3
Washington University School of Medicine, United States
Manganese (Mn2+) is an essential transition metal involved in growth, development, cellular respiration and energy homeostasis, acting as a cofactor for various enzymes. Maintaining homeostatic balance of divalent metal ions like Mn2+ is critical for physiology. Mn2+ transporter proteins have been found to be involved in taste behavior in insects. Mn2+ has various industrial and agricultural applications, and exposure to high levels of Mn2+ in humans leads to dopaminergic neuronal damage and symptoms that are also the characteristic features of Parkinson's disease. Thus developing a proper understanding of the role of Mn2+ in modulating sensory systems (e.g., taste) will help in elucidating its role in modulating behavior. We are using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the European honey bee Apis mellifera as models to study the effect of Mn2+ on the nervous system. Preliminary results show that flies raised from egg to adult in food that contains Mn2+ have higher levels of the biogenic amines Dopamine (DA) and Octopamine (OA) but not Serotonin (5-HT) in their brains, as compared to control flies. Similar data were obtained by treating honey bee workers post eclosion. Since both DA and OA are known to be involved in regulating various behaviors, we hypothesize that the effects of disruptions in Mn2+ homeostasis on behavior are mediated by a direct impact on aminergic signaling in the insect brain. We are following up on these results by raising flies and bees in different concentrations of Mn2+, followed by determination of brain amine levels, aminergic neuroanatomy, gene transcription, and behavioral outcomes.
Keywords:
Behavior,
Dopamine,
Drosophila melanogaster,
gene transcription,
Manganese,
Neuroanatomy,
Octopamine
Conference:
Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology, College Park. Maryland USA, United States, 5 Aug - 10 Aug, 2012.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation (see alternatives below as well)
Topic:
Neuromodulation
Citation:
Mitra
A,
Sovik
E,
Barron
A,
Duncan
J and
Ben-Shahar
Y
(2012). Manganese affects behavior of Drosophila melanogaster by altering biogenic amine levels in brain.
Conference Abstract:
Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnbeh.2012.27.00422
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Received:
03 May 2012;
Published Online:
07 Jul 2012.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Aniruddha Mitra, Washington University, Biology, St Louis, MO, United States, mitra.aniruddha@gmail.com