Justin Blau
Biology
Behavioral Genetics
How do genes control behavior? We are addressing this
question by studying clock genes that control circadian (daily) rhythms in
Drosophila. We measure activity/rest cycles in adult flies, which
follow a 24 hour rhythm even in constant darkness. Drosophila are less sensitive to touch and sound
while resting, indicating that they are in a sleep-like state.
A number of clock genes have been isolated that are
required for normal rhythms. Flies with mutations in these clock genes have
either an altered day length, or lose rhythmicity. We are studying two related
transcription factors, vrille and Pdp1, whose levels are
regulated by the other clock genes. Thus vrille and Pdp1 RNA
and protein levels oscillate with a 24 hour period. Constitutive transcription
of vrille and Pdp1 causes behavioral arrhythmicity.
vrille and Pdp1 form part of a new feedback loop within the
clock, and they regulate expression of the genes which regulate them. One of
the major questions we have is the identification of vrille and
Pdp1 target genes within the clock.
Our other major interest is how cycles of clock gene expression in just 20 central brain pacemaker neurons regulate behavior of the whole fly. What output signals are rhythmically released from the pacemaker cells? And what cells are innervated by the pacemaker cells to create the neural circuit for circadian behavior?
We are using a combination of molecular, biochemical, genetic and genomic approaches to answer these questions. Given the tremendous similarity between fly and mammalian clock genes, it may even be possible to identify candidate genes that could be used to treat sleep disorders and jet lag.
E-mail: justin.blau@nyu.edu
Representative Publications:
J. Blau (2001) The Drosophila clock: what we know and what we donŐt know. Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 12 287-93
J. Blau & M.W. Young (1999) Cycling vrille expression is required for a functional Drosophila clock. Cell: 99: 661-71
J. Blau & A. Rothenfluh (1999). Siesta-time is in the genes. Neuron: 24: 4-5
J.L. Price, J. Blau, A. Rothenfluh, M. Abodeely, B. Kloss, & M.W. Young (1998).
double-time is a novel Drosophila clock gene that regulates PERIOD protein accumulation. Cell: 94: 83-95
B. Kloss, J.L. Price, L. Saez, J. Blau, A. Rothenfluh, C.S. Wesley, C.S. & M.W. Young, (1998). The Drosophila clock gene double-time encodes a protein closely related to human
casein kinase Ie. Cell: 94: 97-107
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