Rishko V. Genes, involved in nervous system functioning of Drosophila melanogaster, as modifiers of dystrophin and dystroglycan mutant phenotype.

The present work was focused on identifying the genes-modifiers which influence the Dys and Dg expression in nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. We found the expression of Dystrophin in eye discs and Dystroglycan in the neuropile of the larval Drosophila brain. In adults these proteins localize in medulla and lamina of the brain and in motoneurons. It was shown that the mutations in a line of gene-modifiers of mutant dystrophin and dystroglycan phenotype in muscles cause defects in photoreceptor axons migration (genes chif, CG34400, Nrk, Lis1, capt, Cam) and their differentiation (genes SP2353, Grh, Nrk, capt, CG34400, vimar, Lis1, Cam). It was found that the width of the lamina of the adult Dys and Dg mutant brain was decreased compared to it in wild type flies. Genes Nrk, mbl, capt and Cam interact with genes Dys and/or Dg in axon migration, lamina formation and rhabdomeres elongation. The down- regulation of the genes Dys, Dg, capt and Cam in the nervous system decrease viability, average lifespan indexes and locomotor activity of adult fruit flies. The proposed scheme showed the functioning of modifiers with DGC components in the nervous cell. The mislocalisation of actin filaments and nuclei of the pupal photoreceptor cells suggests that DGC is involved in actin cytoskeleton reconstruction during neuron migration and neuron cells morphogenesis.