title: Quantitative trait locus mapping of gravitaxis behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Drosophila melanogaster, like other organisms, move and orient themselves in response to the earth's gravitational force. The ability to sense and respond to gravity is essential for an organism to navigate and thrive in its environment. The genes underlying this behaviour in Drosophila remain elusive. Using 88 recombinant inbred lines, we have identified four quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that contribute to adult gravitaxis (geotaxis) behaviour in Drosophila. Candidate genes of interest were selected from the QTLs of highest significance based on their function in chordotonal organ formation. Quantitative complementation tests with these candidate genes revealed a role for skittles in adult gravitaxis behaviour in D. melanogaster.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada L5C 1J6.
authors.forename: Christie E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Desroches
authors.forename: Macarena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Busto
authors.forename: Craig A L
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Riedl
authors.forename: Trudy F C
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: Marla B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sokolowski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018466:Gravity Sensing / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins