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Targeted over-expression of hsp22 and the maintenance of locomotor activity of third instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster at high temperatures

Hsp22 has been implicated in stress tolerance and longevity in various organisms though its role in Drosophila melanogaster larval thermal tolerance has not yet been investigated. I undertook this project to determine if over-expression of hsp22 in either muscle or motor neurons could alter locomotor ability at high temperature in third instar larvae of D. melanogaster. A combination of the UAS-gal4 and tet-On promoter systems was used to over-express transgenic hsp22 in the larvae. A β-galactosidase assay was used to determine the level of gene expression following administration of different amounts of tetracycline. A concentration of 100 μg/ml of tetracycline was found to elicit appreciably higher expression of the reporter gene than 0 and 0.1 μg/ml of tetracycline. Locomotor ability of larvae was assessed at a temperature of approximately 400C by measuring the time to movement failure (TMF). Larvae that were fed 100 μg/ml of tetracycline showed a significant decline in the TMF, which could be attributed to the presence of tetracycline at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. Possible reasons behind the lack of a noticeable effect of hsp22 over-expression on the TMF are discussed. The detrimental effect of tetracycline could be attributed to the decline in mitochondrial translation or a decline in the population of endogenous bacteria, which are known to exert positive effects on the development and function of Drosophila larvae. / Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2007-10-01 14:24:15.801

  1. http://hdl.handle.net/1974/782
Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OKQ.1974/782
Date02 October 2007
CreatorsJoshi, Namrata
ContributorsQueen's University (Kingston, Ont.). Theses (Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.))
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish, English
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format910778 bytes, application/pdf
RightsThis publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
RelationCanadian theses

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