Development of an Assay to Detect Degenerative Dopaminergic Neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
16-5-2013
End Date
16-5-2013
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PK) is a disruption of motor function caused by loss of dopamine neurons. PK can be caused by environmental and genetic factors. One protein known to contribute to PK is the protein α-synuclein found in dopamine neurons. Over expression or mutations in α-synuclein can lead to PK. The soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), has been developed as a model for PK by using a transgenically modified strain, which overexpresses the human α-synuclein protein. In this strain, the dopamine neurons, which have been labeled with a green fluorescent protein, were observed by fluorescent microscopy to degenerate after nine days of development. We have discovered that the transgenic strain expresses a locomotory behavioral defect that is indicative of deficient dopamine signaling at day three of development. When wild-type (normal) nematodes encounter their food, which is a bacterial lawn, they slow their locomotory speed. However, the transgenic strain does not exhibit the prototypical slowing behavior that stems from the excitation of the dopamine neurons. This defect was determined by utilizing an automated tracking system to quantify speed of locomotion on and off food. We can extrapolate that this behavior is correlated to nematodes that exhibit degenerative dopamine neurons, as this same behavioral defect is observed in cat-2 mutants that do not generate dopamine. In future studies, we will utilize this assay to examine the effects of environmental stressors on these neurons and their relation to PK.
Recommended Citation
Darley, Jacob and Niemuth, Maria, "Development of an Assay to Detect Degenerative Dopaminergic Neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans" (2013). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 33.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2013/posters/33
Poster Number
36
Additional Mentoring Department
Biological Sciences
Additional Mentoring Department
Biological Sciences
Development of an Assay to Detect Degenerative Dopaminergic Neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans
SURC Ballroom C/D
Parkinson’s disease (PK) is a disruption of motor function caused by loss of dopamine neurons. PK can be caused by environmental and genetic factors. One protein known to contribute to PK is the protein α-synuclein found in dopamine neurons. Over expression or mutations in α-synuclein can lead to PK. The soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), has been developed as a model for PK by using a transgenically modified strain, which overexpresses the human α-synuclein protein. In this strain, the dopamine neurons, which have been labeled with a green fluorescent protein, were observed by fluorescent microscopy to degenerate after nine days of development. We have discovered that the transgenic strain expresses a locomotory behavioral defect that is indicative of deficient dopamine signaling at day three of development. When wild-type (normal) nematodes encounter their food, which is a bacterial lawn, they slow their locomotory speed. However, the transgenic strain does not exhibit the prototypical slowing behavior that stems from the excitation of the dopamine neurons. This defect was determined by utilizing an automated tracking system to quantify speed of locomotion on and off food. We can extrapolate that this behavior is correlated to nematodes that exhibit degenerative dopamine neurons, as this same behavioral defect is observed in cat-2 mutants that do not generate dopamine. In future studies, we will utilize this assay to examine the effects of environmental stressors on these neurons and their relation to PK.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Lucinda Carnell, Eric Foss