The role of cyclic-AMP in the circadian rhythm of egg-laying in Drosophila melanogaster / by Will R. Kiger, III.
| Author/creator | Kiger, Will R. author. |
| Other author | Daugherty, Patricia A., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1982. |
| Description | vi, 59 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The role of cyclic-AMP as a possible factor in the control of the circadian rhythm of egg-laying in Drosophila melanogaster was examined. An oviposition rhythm in Drosophila occurs in which females lay the maximum number of eggs during the first few hours of darkness daily. There is evidence that cAMP is involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms, and that the biochemical model for the circadian clock involves cAMP. Drosophila melanogaster treated with caffeine and theophylline were compared with untreated controls. Both caffeine and theophylline inhibit cAMP phosphodiesterase, and this inhibition leads to an increased level of cAMP. Cyclic-AMP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The time of maximum egg deposition of treated flies was different from that of control flies. In both the control and treated groups, there were peaks in cAMP activity and peaks in egg deposition. In caffeine-treated flies, the inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase leads to an increase in cAMP, and this increase corresponds to an advance in time of maximum egg deposition. In theophylline-treated flies, the inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase also leads to an increase in cAMP; however, no consistency as to the time of maximum egg deposition, daily, was found. It also appears from synchrony between rises in maximum cAMP activity and rises in maximum egg deposition, that cAMP may exert a "stimulatory effect" on egg-laying in Drosophila. These results provide additional evidence that cAMP is involved in the control of circadian rhythms. |
| General note | "Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Biology." |
| General note | Advisor: Patricia A. Daugherty |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 1982 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-59). |
| Genre/form | dissertations. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |