Expression of human PQBP-1 in Drosophila impairs long-term memory and induces abnormal courtship

FEBS Lett. 2006 Apr 17;580(9):2335-40. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.03.056. Epub 2006 Mar 31.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Behavior, Animal*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Frameshift Mutation*
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / genetics*
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • PQBP1 protein, human