Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


ucin1307043748.pdf (608.16 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Association of naturally occurring polymorphisms in odorant receptors with variation in olfactory behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Richgels, Phoebe K.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307043748

Abstract Details

2011, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
Animals use olfactory cues in such vital behaviors as finding mates, avoiding predators, and locating food. Behavioral responses to odorants are mediated by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. To examine the extent to which genetic variation in Drosophila melanogaster odorant receptors contributes to olfactory behavior, avoidance behavioral responses to select odorants were examined and odorant receptor alleles from a natural population were sequenced. Behavioral variation was assessed for the structurally similar esters methyl hexanoate and ethyl hexanoate. Furthermore, three odorant receptors that respond to these esters (Or22a, Or35a, and Or47a) as well as one odorant receptor co-expressed with Or22a (i.e., Or22b) were sequenced. Population genetics analyses of sequenced alleles indicated a deviation from neutrality for the intronic region of Or47a. Numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertion/deletion polymorphisms in Or22b, Or35a, and Or47a were associated with variation in behavioral responses to ethyl hexanoate. Significant association profiles for methyl hexanoate, however, were only found for Or22b and Or35a, with some polymorphisms associated with variation in behavioral response to both odorants. These results demonstrate the combinatorial nature of odor coding for structurally similar odorants and how genetic variation that arises during the evolution of odorant receptor genes can play a role in mediating variation in behavioral responses to odorants.
Stephanie Rollmann, PhD (Committee Chair)
John Layne, PhD (Committee Member)
Kenneth Petren, PhD (Committee Member)
48 p.
Biology
olfaction; behavior; chemosensory; drosophila

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Richgels, P. K. (2011). Association of naturally occurring polymorphisms in odorant receptors with variation in olfactory behavior in Drosophila melanogaster [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307043748

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Richgels, Phoebe. Association of naturally occurring polymorphisms in odorant receptors with variation in olfactory behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. 2011. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307043748.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Richgels, Phoebe. "Association of naturally occurring polymorphisms in odorant receptors with variation in olfactory behavior in Drosophila melanogaster." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1307043748

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1307043748
478
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.