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At least 1,639 records · Page 91Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Swarm-founding in the polistine wasps: the importance of finding many microsatellite loci in studies of adaptation.

We developed 52 microsatellite loci for the wasp, Polybioides tabidus, for the purpose of studying the evolution and inclusive fitness consequences of swarm-founding. The large number of loci is important for three reasons that may apply to many other systems. Heterozygosity was low in our target species, yet we found enough polymorphic loci for accurate kinship studies in this species. Many monomorphic loci were polymorphic in other polistine wasps, making comparative studies possible. Finally, enough loci amplified over a broad range of species to add a historical dimension. We sequenced six loci in other polistine wasps and used the flanking sequences to construct a phylogeny. Based on this phylogeny, we infer that swarm-founding has evolved independently three times in the polistine wasps.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

A Drosophila calcium channel alpha1 subunit gene maps to a genetic locus associated with behavioral and visual defects.

We have cloned cDNAs that encode a complete open reading frame for a calcium channel alpha1 subunit from Drosophila melanogaster. The deduced 1851 amino acid protein belongs to the superfamily of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the sequence of this subunit is relatively distant from sodium channel alpha subunits and most similar to genes encoding the A, B, and E isoforms of calcium channel alpha1 subunits. To indicate its similarity to this subfamily of vertebrate isoforms, we name this protein Dmca1A, for Drosophila melanogaster calcium channel alpha1 subunit, type A. Northern blot analysis detected a single 10. 5 kb transcript class that is regulated developmentally, with expression peaks in the first larval instar, midpupal, and late pupal stages. In late-stage embryos, Dmca1A is expressed preferentially in the nervous system. Variant transcripts are generated by alternative splicing. In addition, single nucleotide variations between cDNAs and genomic sequence are consistent with RNA editing. Dmca1A maps to a chromosomal region implicated in, and is the likely candidate for, the gene involved in the generation of behavioral, physiological, and lethal phenotypes of the cacophony, nightblind-A, and lethal(1)L13 mutants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Meta-analysis for microarray studies of the genetics of complex traits.

In comparison to other complex disease traits, alcoholism and alcohol abuse are influenced by the combined effects of many genes that alter susceptibility, phenotypic expression and associated morbidity, respectively. Many genetic studies, in both animal models and humans, have identified genetic intervals containing genes that influence alcoholism or behavioral responses to ethanol. Concurrently, a growing number of microarray studies have identified gene expression differences related to ethanol drinking or other ethanol behaviors. However, concerns about the statistical power of these experiments, combined with the complexity of the underlying phenotypes, have greatly hampered the identification of candidate genes underlying ethanol behaviors. Meta-analysis approaches using recent compilations of large datasets of microarray, behavioral and genetic data promise improved statistical power for detecting the genes or gene networks affecting ethanol behaviors and other complex traits.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2000

Simultaneous interdisciplinary counseling in German breast/ovarian cancer families: first experiences with patient perceptions, surveillance behavior and acceptance of genetic testing.

As part of a multicenter study supported by the German Mildred Scheel foundation we have established an interdisciplinary counseling setting for members of breast and/or ovarian cancer families. We offer simultaneous counseling by a team consisting of a geneticist, a gynecologist and a psycho-oncologist. Here we describe our counseling protocol and our first short-term experience with this interdisciplinary approach. Preliminary data on patient perceptions and behaviors in the context of DNA testing are reported. Overall, our counseling approach was perceived as beneficial both by the counselors and the consultants. A marked overestimation of the risk to develop breast and/or ovarian cancer was noted in the group of unaffected individuals from medium to low risk breast cancer families in contrast to an appropriate risk perception in members from high risk families. All participants shared many of the same expectations about genetic testing and counseling and appeared to base their decision-making about testing on the risk classification given by the genetic counselor. The reported participation in gynecological cancer prevention programs was high in all families at risk, but was less sufficient in unaffected as compared to affected persons. Although current data on BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation analyses render testing in medium to low risk individuals questionable, our findings emphasize the importance of genetic counseling and education in all risk categories of breast and/or ovarian cancer families.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Genetic selection for avoidance behavior in the rat.

Long-Evans rats were selectively bred for over 20 generations using two behavioral criteria: (1) limited responding to the warning signal during ten pretest trials and (2) either good or poor avoidance behavior during 60 avoidance training trials in a two-way shuttlebox. The results suggest that avoidance behavior in the rat is a heritable characteristic that may be selected independently of activity level.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Diet change reveals asymmetric response in gene expression and microbial composition across the digestive tract of two closely related herbivores.

BACKGROUND: Understanding what shapes variation in organisms' capacity to utilize novel resources is essential to predicting how species will respond to environmental change. For herbivores, exposure to toxic phytochemicals in novel plants may limit persistence in new habitats. We investigated the behavioral, physiological, genetic, and microbial consequences of diet switching in two closely related species of rodent herbivores that each consume differentially toxic plants in their native habitat, and that maintain different dietary strategies (i.e., relative dietary specialist versus relative generalist). RESULTS: In reciprocal laboratory feeding trials, we exposed wild-caught woodrats (genus Neotoma) to toxins characteristic of either familiar or novel plant secondary compounds. We measured changes in food and water intake, locomotor activity, gut microbial composition, and gene expression across the digestive tract following feeding trials. The dietary generalist responded minimally, but the specialist responded strongly when exposed to the novel diet. This response included behavioral and genetic components including increased water intake, reduction in locomotor activity, increased differential expression of detoxification genes, and a greater shift in gut microbial composition. CONCLUSIONS: The dietary specialist exhibited a strong response to diet switching that corresponded with ecologically relevant shifts in behavior and physiology that would have negative fitness consequences. Although the dietary specialist had a strong genetic and microbial response to novel plant secondary compounds, this response would likely be insufficient to overcome the immediate challenge of exposure to novel dietary toxins in the wild. Our results underscore the link between feeding strategy and the capacity to shift to novel dietary resources in response to environmental change.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Prosocial behavior from early to middle childhood: genetic and environmental influences on stability and change.

Prosocial behavior is important for the functioning of society. This study investigates the extent to which environment shared by family members, nonshared environment, and genetics account for children's prosocial behavior. The prosocial behavior of twins (9,424 pairs) was rated by their parents at the ages of 2, 3, 4, and 7 and by their teachers at age 7. For parent ratings, shared environmental effects decreased from .47 on average at age 2 to .03 at age 7, and genetic effects increased from .32 on average to .61. The finding of weak shared environmental effects and large heritability at age 7 was largely confirmed through the use of teacher ratings. Using longitudinal genetic analyses, the authors conclude that genetic effects account for both change and continuity in prosocial behavior and nonshared environment contributes mainly to change.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Impaired explorative behavior and neophobia in genetically modified mice lacking or overexpressing the extracellular serine protease inhibitor neuroserpin.

Neuroserpin is a neural serpin that inhibits the extracellular protease tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). We have generated neuroserpin-deficient mice which are viable and healthy. Zymographic analysis of neuroserpin-deficient brain showed unaltered tPA activity, suggesting that other inhibitors contribute to the regulation of tPA and may compensate for the defect. Analysis of explorative behavior revealed selective reduction of locomotor activity in novel environments, an anxiety-like response on the O-maze, and a neophobic response to novel objects. Mice overexpressing neuroserpin under the control of the Thy1.2 promoter are known to have a reduced brain tPA activity. They showed reduced center exploration in the open-field test and, like neuroserpin-deficient mice, a neophobic phenotype in the novel object test. Our results implicate neuroserpin in the regulation of emotional behavior through a mechanism that is at least in part independent of tPA activity. They are the first evidence for a role of protease inhibitors in mood regulation.

Affect↗
PubMed2006

Sifaka positional behavior: ontogenetic and quantitative genetic approaches.

In many primate species, hands and feet are large relative to neonatal body weight, and they subsequently exhibit negative allometric growth during ontogeny. Here, data are presented showing that this pattern holds for a wild population of lemur, Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi). Using morphometric data collected on this population, it is shown that younger animals possess relatively large hands and feet. This ontogenetic pattern suggests a simple behavioral test: do juvenile animals with their larger, almost adult-sized hands and feet locomote on similarly sized substrates as adult animals? Using locomotor bout sampling, this question was tested by collecting positional behavior data on this population. Results from this test find no differences in locomotor behaviors or substrate use between yearlings and adult animals. To place these results in a broader evolutionary context, heritabilities and selection gradients of hands, feet, and other limb elements for animals in this population were estimated. Among limb elements, heritabilities range from 0.16-0.44, with the foot having the lowest value. Positive directional selection acts most strongly on the foot (directional selection gradient = 0.119). The low heritability and positive selection coefficient indicate that selection has acted, and continues to act, on foot size in young animals. These results are interpreted within a functional context with respect to the development of locomotor coordination: larger feet enable young animals to use "adult-sized" substrates when they move through their habitat. It is suggested that the widespread pattern of negative allometry of the extremities in sifaka and other primates is maintained by selection, and does not simply reflect a primitive developmental pathway that has no adaptive basis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Impact of genetic counseling and testing on colorectal cancer screening behavior.

One goal of cancer genetic counseling is to improve early detection and prevention of cancers by identifying individuals at risk and providing screening recommendations. This study determined the impact of genetic counseling and testing on patient's post-genetic risk assessment colorectal cancer screening behaviors. Follow-up data from patients seen August, 1996, through May, 1998, at the Johns Hopkins Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic were analyzed. Eligible patients included those without cancer who were due for a colon examination by the time of follow-up, based on recommendations given during genetic risk assessment (GRA). We analyzed the role of gender, age, time since GRA, prior screening, genetic testing decision, mutation status, and post-GRA screening. Of 65 patients evaluated, 50 (76.9%) had undergone at least one endoscopic colon exam prior to visiting the Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic. At the time of GRA, 37 of 65 (56.9%) were overdue for a colon exam and at the time of follow-up, 15/65 (23.1%) were past due (p < 0.001). Patients with mutation-positive genetic tests were more likely to adhere to screening guidelines than those with negative gene tests (100% vs. 40.5%, p = 0.05). Genetic counseling and testing increases overall patient adherence with recommended colon screening, especially for those with positive genetic test results. However, patients with negative results may receive false reassurance about cancer risks and fail to follow recommended screening. Emphasis should be placed on the importance of screening even when genetic test results are negative.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗