College of Arts & Sciences
FRAX E and Drosophila lilliputian The purpose of this study is to model a heritable form of human mental retardation, FRAXE, using Drosophila melanogaster. This form of retardation is caused by alterations to the FMR2 gene, which leads to silencing of this gene. Using the Drosophila ortholog of human FMR2, a gene called lilliputian, we have created a genetic background to replace wild type lilliputian in mutant flies. This background has shown morphological and behavioral deficits similar to the defects seen in humans with FRAXE. Behavioral data of lilliputian mutants suggests defects at the synapse. Therefore we will analyze the neuromuscular junction of third instar larva. Analysis of these synaptic images will be preformed by counting and measuring boutons (which are synaptic connections) at the synapse of muscles 6 and 7 (these muscles are commonly used for synaptic analysis). We anticipate the behavioral defects are due to a difference in the number of boutons present in these mutant organisms.
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Ma rk K illen COAS Biological Sciences
Dr . D anie l Ma renda Faculty Mentor Biology
Poster Session A