Developmental loss of neurofibromin across distributed neuronal circuits drives excessive grooming in Drosophila

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008920
• Publication Date: 2020-07-22T17:36:44Z
• Authors: Lanikea B. King; Tamara Boto; Valentina Botero; Ari M. Aviles; Breanna M. Jomsky; Chevara Joseph; James A. Walker; Seth M. Tomchik
• Keywords: Neurofibromin 1

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a monogenetic disorder that predisposes individuals to tumor formation and cognitive behavioral symptoms. The neuronal circuitry developmental events underlying these neurological symptoms are unknown. To better understand how mutations of the gene (NF1) drive alterations, we have examined grooming in Drosophila neurofibromatosis model. Mutations fly NF1 ortholog excessive grooming, increased was observed adults when Nf1 knocked down during development. Furthermore, intact Ras GAP-related domain signaling required maintain normal grooming. requirement for distributed across circuits, which were additive targeted parallel, rather than mapping discrete microcircuits. Overall, data suggest broadly-distributed alterations function development, requiring signaling, key Nf1-mediated alterations. Thus, global brain circuits/systems may contribute phenotypes 1.