Exploratory activity in Drosophila requires the kurtz non-visual arrestin

When Drosophila adults are placed into an open field arena, they initially exhibit an elevated level of activity followed by a reduced stable level of spontaneous activity. We have found that the initial elevated component arises from the fly's interaction with the novel arena since: 1) the increased activity is independent of handling prior to placement within the arena, 2) the fly's elevated activity is proportional to the size of the arena, and 3) the decay in activity to spontaneous levels requires both visual and olfactory input. These data indicate that active exploration is the major component of elevated initial activity. There is a specific requirement for the kurtz non-visual arrestin in the nervous system for both the exploration stimulated by the novel arena and also mechanically stimulated activity. kurtz is not required for spontaneous activity; kurtz mutants display normal levels of spontaneous activity and average the same velocities as wild type controls. Inhibition of dopamine signaling has no effect on the elevated initial activity phase in either wild type or in krz1 mutants. Therefore, the exploratory phase of open field activity requires kurtz in the nervous system, but is independent of dopamine's stimulation of activity.

Key Words: Drosophila, arrestin, exploration, open field, thigmotaxis

Online ISS 1091-6490
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