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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Mark F. VanBerkum
Abstract
Manganese (Mn) is an essential nutritional element and is required as a cofactor for many enzymes. Excess manganese, however, is toxic. Manganese overexposure leads to motor deficits and symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease. Manganese toxicity also leads to accumulation of manganese within neurons. Manganese levels within the cell are regulated by a series of divalent metal transporters. However, the mechanism by which manganese levels are recognized and regulated is unknown. In various organisms, including mice, non-human primates, and Drosophila, manganese exposure leads to manganese accumulation with the brain and decreased motor function and control. In Drosophila, a decrease in survival is associated with chronic exposure to manganese. This thesis provides evidence that diet composition can modulate survival of flies in response to excess manganese. Genome Wide Association Studies in Drosophila have been successful in identifying genes associated with various diseases and phenotypic traits. This thesis provides a proof-of-concept genome wide association study for identification of gene variants associated with response to chronic manganese intake in wild-type, isogenic Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel strains.
Recommended Citation
Sparks, Kailynn, "Establishing A Paradigm Of Manganese Neurotoxicity In Adult Drosophila Melanogaster" (2023). Wayne State University Theses. 927.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/927