Learning and memory in Drosophila: Role of white mutation

Abstract

Since the discovery by T. H. Morgan in 1910, Drosophila white gene has become one of the most intensively studied and has been widely used as a genetic marker. Numerous key scientific discoveries have been made involving Drosophila melanogaster transgenic stocks, many of which are engineered against the genetic background of white mutant stocks. The white gene encoded ABC-transporter is critical not only for the biosynthesis of eye pigments, but also for the transport of many molecular substrates, including biogenic amines and neurotransmitters. This is due to the fact that this mutation leads to the formation of a complex phenotype that affects not only vision, but also locomotor and sexual activity, resistance to stress, learning and memory formation. The white gene plays a role in several learning paradigms, degrading operant learning and not affecting olfactory. The aim of this study was to assess the role of Drosophila w 1118 mutation in learning and memory formation in the conditioned courtship suppression based on olfactory stimuli. For the first time, it has been shown that the w 1118 mutant is capable of learning and has normal medium-term and long-term memory, both under normal conditions and under the influence of heat shock.