Fly orthologs of candidate anxiety genes found at quantitative trait loci (QTLs) identified from a mouse genetic experiment were screened using the fly wall-following assay (WAFO, see FBhh0001005). Of 17 fly genes test, 4 exhibited alterations in the WAFO assay, including Dmel\tsr and Dmel\tmod. Knockdown of either gene resulted in reduced WAFO (interpreted as decreased anxiety). Both of these genes impact actin filament stability and dynamics; both genes are orthologous to multiple genes in human (see 'Ortholog Information', below).
Human genes Hsap\DSTN (ortholog of Dmel\tsr) and Hsap\TMOD2 and Hsap\TMOD3 (orthologs of Dmel\tmod) have been introduced into flies, but have not been characterized in the context of this disease model.
Both Dmel\tsr and Dmel\tmod have been extensively characterized: RNAi-targeting constructs and alleles caused by insertional mutagenesis have been generated for both; physical and genetic interactions have been described for both. See below and in the tsr and tmod gene reports.
[updated Apr. 2020 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
CFL1 and CFL2 encode major components of intranuclear and cytoplasmic actin rods; reversibly control actin polymerization and depolymerization in a pH-dependent manner. [Gene Cards, CFL1, CFL2; 2019.04.23]
DSTN encodes an actin-binding protein that enhances the turnover rate of actin in vivo. [Gene Cards, DSTN; 2019.04.23]
Members of the tropomodulin family encode actin-regulatory proteins that cap the pointed end of actin filaments, preventing both elongation and depolymerization; the capping activity is dependent on association with tropomyosin. [Gene Cards, TMOD1, TMOD2; 2019.04.23]
Moderate- to high-scoring ortholog of TMOD1, TMOD2, TMOD3, and TMOD4 (1 Drosophila to 4 human); low-scoring ortholog of human LMOD1, LMOD2, and LMOD3. Dmel\tmod shares 34-37% identity and 55-59% similarity with the human tropomodulin (TMOD) genes.