Task2

DLGS97 is essential for learning in Drosophila

The synaptic associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) scaffold protein family is thought to play key roles in synapse assembly, synaptic plasticity and memory, but evidence supporting these roles in vivo is still missing. In a previous work of our lab we had shown that a Drosophila homolog of mammalian MAGUK proteins SAP97, DLGS97 mutant presents alterations in complex behaviors like phototaxis and circadian rhythm without obvious developmental defects. Our objective in this work was test whether DLGS97 is important for learning. Here we showed that DLGS97 mutants had no alterations in general morphology of the brain and normal distribution and quantity of neurons and glial cells. We also showed that morphology of Mushroom Bodies, the structures involved in the memory storage in the fly, were normal and the subcellular distribution of the protein is pre and postsynaptic in these cells. Finally we performed a learning test in the DLGS97 mutants and we found a deficiency in the 5 minutes learning task. Our results indicate that DLGS97 is not necessary for Mushroom Bodies morphogenesis but it is essential for learning.

Work1

I am Carlos Oliva. I studied Biochemistry in the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Now I am

in the Biomedical Science PhD program in the Faculty of Medicine of Universidad de Chile. My subject

of interest is neurobiology, specifically the mechanisms involved in the axon growth and guidance

during the development of neuron system. In my lab we use the fly Drosophila melanogaster, because

it is powerful genetic model and we use it for discover new genes involved in the neuron

development. When I will finish my thesis I would like to do a postdoc in a laboratory abroad for

get more experience in the use of Drosophila in the study human diseases.