Yoshimura, N., Horiuchi, D., Shibata, M., Saitoe, M., Qi, M.L., Okazawa, H. (2006). Expression of human PQBP-1 in Drosophila impairs long-term memory and induces abnormal courtship. FEBS Lett. 580(9): 2335--2340.
FlyBase ID
FBrf0190491
Publication Type
Research paper
Abstract
Frame shift mutations of the polyglutamine binding protein-1 (PQBP1) gene lead to total or partial truncation of the C-terminal domain (CTD) and cause mental retardation in human patients. Interestingly, normal Drosophila homologue of PQBP-1 lacks CTD. As a model to analyze the molecular network of PQBP-1 affecting intelligence, we generated transgenic flies expressing human PQBP-1 with CTD. Pavlovian olfactory conditioning revealed that the transgenic flies showed disturbance of long-term memory. In addition, they showed abnormal courtship that male flies follow male flies. Abnormal functions of PQBP-1 or its binding partner might be linked to these symptoms.
