The Drosophila ARC homolog regulates behavioral responses to starvation

The PIKE Homolog Centaurin gamma Regulates Developmental Timing in Drosophila

Phosphoinositide-3-kinase enhancer (PIKE) proteins encoded by the PIKE/CENTG1 gene are members of the gamma subgroup of the Centaurin superfamily of small GTPases. They are characterized by their chimeric protein domain architecture consisting of a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain, a GTPase-activating (GAP) domain, Ankyrin repeats as well as an intrinsic GTPase domain. In mammals, three PIKE iso...

The Drosophila hnRNP M homolog Rumpelstiltskin regulates nanos mRNA localization.

Anterior-posterior axis patterning of the Drosophila embryo requires Nanos activity selectively in the posterior. This spatial asymmetry of Nanos is generated by the localization of nanos mRNA to the posterior pole of the embryo, where it is subsequently translated. Posterior localization of nanos is mediated by a complex cis-acting localization signal in its 3' untranslated region comprising s...

Using Drosophila to Understand Biochemical and Behavioral Responses to Exercise

The development of endurance exercise paradigms in Drosophila has facilitated study of genetic factors that control individual response to exercise. Recent work in Drosophila has demonstrated that activation of octopaminergic neurons is alone sufficient to confer exercise adaptations to sedentary flies. These results suggest that adrenergic activity is both necessary and sufficient to promote e...

Plant Responses to Sugar Starvation

Stereotypic behavioral responses to free-base cocaine and the development of behavioral sensitization in Drosophila

Cocaine abuse is a large social and economic problem that has received much public and scientific attention in recent years. Rodent and primate models have been used to study the behavioral and neurological effects of cocaine. Repeated intermittent doses of cocaine lead to progressive increases in both locomotor activity and stereotyped behaviors known as 'reverse tolerance' or behavioral sensi...