A screen for genes expressed in the olfactory organs of Drosophila melanogaster identifies genes involved in olfactory behaviour.

ABSTRACT:

Background

For insects the sense of smell and associated olfactory-driven behaviours are essential for survival. Insects detect odorants with families of olfactory receptor proteins that are very different to those of mammals, and there are likely to be other unique genes and genetic pathways involved in the function and development of the insect olfactory system.

Methodology/principal findings

We have performed a genetic screen of a set of 505 Drosophila melanogaster gene trap insertion lines to identify novel genes expressed in the adult olfactory organs. We identified 16 lines with expression in the olfactory organs, many of which exhibited expression of the trapped genes in olfactory receptor neurons. Phenotypic analysis showed that six of the lines have decreased olfact

SUBMITTER: Tunstall NE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3329464 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature