Fly Eyes Help Researchers ‘See’ New Proteins Involved In Memory
With more than 1,500 eyes, not much escapes the fruit fly’s sight. Now, a new research report in the journal Geneticsdescribes how researchers from the United States and Ireland used those eyes to “see” new proteins necessary for memory. In addition to shedding light on this critical neurological process, the study also provides information on a form of mental retardation in humans.
“Understanding translational control mechanisms in the brain teaches us how the brain learns and adapts, and will inform the design of treatments for specific types of neurologic disease,” said Dr. Anne-Marie Cziko, at the University of Arizona and co-author of the study.
Specifically, the scientists found that the “fragile X mental retardation protein,” which plays a crucial role in the cellular processes involved in learning and memory, needs five other proteins to function normally. The scientists identified these proteins using an artificial system of increasing fragile X mental retardation protein in the eyes of fruit flies. Its high level leads to visible deformities in a fly’s eyes. To test the requirement of various candidate proteins for function of the fragile X mental retardation protein, the researchers genetically modified the flies to prevent them from making each candidate protein. They found that loss of any one of the five proteins caused the fruit fly’s eye to be significantly less deformed, revealing that each is required for function of the fragile X mental retardation protein.
Because previous work suggested that the fragile X protein regulates gene expression via an important group of small RNAs called “microRNAs,” the scientists tested whether the proteins they identified were required for a specific microRNA named “bantam” to function in fruit flies. The researchers performed these experiments by removing copies of the identified proteins from the fly. Instead of looking at the flies’ eyes, the researchers looked inside the flies using a fluorescent protein that indicates how well bantam is functioning. The investigators were surprised to find that none of the five proteins identified in the study had an effect on bantam. Even more surprisingly, neither did the fragile X mental retardation protein.
This finding and the identification of the five new proteins that interact with the fragile X mental retardation protein give new insight into additional and alternative functions of fragile X mental retardation protein. They also indicate the need for more study into the fragile X mental retardation protein’s function itself.
“Any college student on the eve of final exams will tell you that truly understanding—and possibly manipulating—how our brains store information is the ‘Holy Grail’ of neurological research,” said Mark Johnston, Editor-in-Chief of the journalGenetics. “Although college students are advised to continue hitting the books, this area of research holds tremendous promise for millions or people with neurological diseases and disabilities, as well as for those with learning disorders.”
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1. Flies have more than 1,500 eyes and they do not miss seeing much.
2. Fragile X mental retardation protein plays a crucial part in cellular processes in learning and memory.
3. A high level of proteins leads to visible deformities in a fly’s eyes.
4. The loss of any one of the five proteins made the fruit fly’s eye become less deformed.
5. This area of research may help people with neurological diseases, disabilities, mental retardation and even learning disabilities.
1. A fruit fly has more than 1,500 eyes.
2. X mental retardation protien helps proccesses that contribute to memory and learning.
3. Previous work suggested that the fragile X protein regulates gene expression via an important group of small RNAs called micro RNAs.
4. Five new protiens contribute to fragile X protien.
5. Proteins using an artificial system of increasing fragile X mental retardation protein in the eyes of fruit flies.
-Fruit flies have more than 1,500 eyes
-the loss of any 5 proteins the fruit flies eye will be deformed
-Their eyes help us see protein that is important
-knowing how our brains store info is like the “Holy Grail” of neurological research
-if we understand translational control mechanisms in the brain it will teach us to design treatments for specific diseases
A fruit fly has more than 1500 eyes
the loss of any 5 proteins the fruit flies eye will be deformed
their is this new protiens involved in memory
The scientist found that the “fragile X mental retardatiiom protein” plays a big role in learing & memory
. Its high level leads to visible deformities in a fly’s eyes
1.The fruit fly has over 1,500 eyes on them.
2.Fragile X Mental plays a role in the cellular processes.
3.The scientists tested the proteins which require for a specific microRNA to function in fruit flies.
4.This finding and the identification of the five new proteins that interact with the fragile X mental retardation protein.
5.It holds tremendous promise for millions or people with neurological diseases and disabilities.
1) the fruit fly has more than 1500 eyes.
2) understanding control in the brain helps us learn about how the brain adapts and learns.
3) Their eyes help us see protein that is important.
4)Fruit flies protein for memory.
5)More study may help the human brain’s ability and memory.
Fly’s have about 1,500 eyes that’s what why scientist are using them to research proteins necessary for memory. The loss of any 5 proteins the fruit flies eye will be deformed. If we understand translational control mechanisms in the brain it will teach us to design treatments for specific diseases. Proteins using an artificial system of increasing fragile X mental retardation protein in the eyes of fruit flies. Proteins using an artificial system of increasing fragile X mental retardation protein in the eyes of fruit flies.
1. Fruit flies have more than 1500 eyes.
2. Scientiists are using these eyes to see new protiens.
3. Its high level leads to visible deformities in fly’s eyes.
4. They can see 10 times better than regular flies.
5. There is five types of protien in fragile X.