Final Abstract

DLGS97 is essential for short term memory in Drosophila.

The synaptic membrane associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) scaffold protein family is thought to play key role in synapse assembly, synaptic plasticity and memory. Evidence supporting these roles in vivo is still missing. Previous research has showed that a mutant of Drosophila DLGS97 (homolog of mammalian MAGUK protein SAP97) presents alterations in complex behaviors without obvious developmental defects. The aim of this study was to assess whether DLGS97 is involved in the learning process. Here we show that DLGS97 mutants had no alterations in general brain morphology 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 a short term memory task. Our results indicate that DLGS97 is not necessary for Mushroom Body morphogenesis but it is essential for short term memory.

Keywords: DLG, Learning, Short term memory, Drosophila.