Uncovering the Molecular Mechanism Behind Associative Learning in C. elegans
Research Mentor(s)
Rose, Jacqueline K.
Description
The current project uses the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model organism to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind associate learning. Calcium/calmodulin-kinase II (CaMKII) is a molecule that has long been linked to learning. In C. elegans the gene unc-43 encodes the ortholog of CaMKII. Our lab has previously demonstrated that worms have deficits in learning when a particular isoform of CaMKII is knocked out. The worm CaMKII strain, unc-43(gk452), carries a deletion mutation for the CaMKIIT isoform and shows learning deficits as measured by assays including, associative chemotaxis, and chemoavoidance. The current study aims to determine if this strain shows similar deficits following introduction of a rapid acquisition protocol involving stimulus pairing. To this end, a low frequency tone (100 Hz; CS) produces a vibration that the worm comes to associate with a light (either UV or blue wavelength; US). Data indicate that the unc-43(gk452) strain responds differently following pairing compared to controls. Current work includes generating a rescue strain using microinjection to restore exon 1 of this CaMKII isoform and determining if this is sufficient to return learning to wild-type levels.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
14-5-2015 10:00 AM
End Date
14-5-2015 2:00 PM
Department
Psychology
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Caenorhabditis elegans--Mechanism of action; Nervous system--Degeneration
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this documentation for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Uncovering the Molecular Mechanism Behind Associative Learning in C. elegans
The current project uses the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model organism to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind associate learning. Calcium/calmodulin-kinase II (CaMKII) is a molecule that has long been linked to learning. In C. elegans the gene unc-43 encodes the ortholog of CaMKII. Our lab has previously demonstrated that worms have deficits in learning when a particular isoform of CaMKII is knocked out. The worm CaMKII strain, unc-43(gk452), carries a deletion mutation for the CaMKIIT isoform and shows learning deficits as measured by assays including, associative chemotaxis, and chemoavoidance. The current study aims to determine if this strain shows similar deficits following introduction of a rapid acquisition protocol involving stimulus pairing. To this end, a low frequency tone (100 Hz; CS) produces a vibration that the worm comes to associate with a light (either UV or blue wavelength; US). Data indicate that the unc-43(gk452) strain responds differently following pairing compared to controls. Current work includes generating a rescue strain using microinjection to restore exon 1 of this CaMKII isoform and determining if this is sufficient to return learning to wild-type levels.