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Characterization and Quantification of Dopaminergic Phenotypes via Computer‐aided Video Analysis
Author(s) -
Garriga Gustavo Adolfo,
Nelms Brian
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.05387
Subject(s) - dopaminergic , phenotype , dopamine , neuroscience , biology , dopaminergic pathways , dopamine transporter , gene , genetics
Dopamine is an important neuromodulator known to regulate a myriad of brain functions ranging from motor control to memory and learning. Dopamine dysregulation has been associated with multiple neurological disorders including schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, addiction, Parkinson’s disease among many others. To better understand dopamine function at the molecular level, we are investigating the roles and regulation of dopaminergic genes using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model system. We are conducting swimming induced paralysis (SWIP) assays using a computer‐aided video analysis system, allowing us to collect more nuanced data to uncover new phenotypes and discover roles for genes involved in dopaminergic signaling. We have selected several genes to focus on in this study. Each of these genes is highly enriched in dopamine neurons, based on RNASeq data from our laboratory. Mutant strains for these genes display accelerated swimming‐induced paralysis, a phenotype characteristic of hyperdopaminergic signaling, when compared to the wild‐type strain, N2. Via this analysis, we propose to gain more insight into specific rates and patterns of paralysis of these mutant strains in order to identify novel genes critical for dopaminergic functioning. Support or Funding Information Funding support from NSF CREST Grant #HRD1547757, NIH BD2K R25 Grant #1R25MD010396‐01, and DOE Title VII Grant MD‐HBCU #P382G090004.