Assessing Sex Bias in Neurodevelopmental Disease-Associated Genes
Open Access
- Author:
- Scanlon, Bradley
- Area of Honors:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Santhosh Girirajan, Thesis Supervisor
Santhosh Girirajan, Thesis Honors Advisor
Scott Brian Selleck, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- genetics
drosophila melanogaster
sex bias
neurodevelopmental diseases
genes
molecular biology
RNA interference - Abstract:
- Sex bias represents the increased rates of a specific protein sequence, gene expression, or disease for a certain sex. Sex bias is present in all neurodevelopmental diseases (NDD), but the molecular causes behind elevated male sensitivity to NDDs remain unclear. Approximately 1% of the world population has been diagnosed with autism, and an even greater percentage suffer from intellectual disabilities, with males four-times more likely to suffer from these disorders than females. Various models have been utilized to explain the biological mechanisms underlying sex-biased presentation. While these animal models have uncovered valuable details about sex-biased genetic contributions to male and female development differences, the underpinning of sex-biased phenotypic severity remains unknown. In order to elucidate this, we tested if genetic knockdown of neurodevelopmentally important genes in Drosophila melanogaster produced similar male-biased sensitivity. Understanding which genes and genetic interactions display increased severity in males will allow researchers to understand potential mechanisms for these diseases in order to devise treatment strategies in the future. Drosophila melanogaster models were employed as model organisms due to their genetic similarity to human disease-associated genes, fast breeding times, and robust testing potential.