This study examined the effects of the antipsychotic drug Olanzapine on mating behaviors in Drosophila with mutations in the Dysbindin gene (Dysb1), which is associated with schizophrenia in humans. Flies with the Dysb1 mutation typically show abnormal mating rituals. The study hypothesized that Dysb1 flies treated with Olanzapine would show improved mating behaviors similar to wild-type flies. Dysb1 flies and wild-type control flies were collected and separated into groups treated with or without Olanzapine. Their mating behaviors were then observed, but no mating occurred in any of the groups. The results did not allow the researchers to draw conclusions about their hypothesis. Future experiments are

1. Effects of Olanzapine on
mating phenotypes in
Dysbindin mutant Drosophila
Hayley Vaughn
Bio 498, Senior Thesis II
Advisor: Dr. Sara Sheeley

2. Schizophrenia
• delusions and/or hallucinations, cognitive and
emotional dysfunction, disorganized speech and
behavior that is persistent for at least 6 months
• 2.4 Million Americans with Schizophrenia
www.schizophrenia.com

3. An Inside Look
“Wither”
Unknown artwork found in
an old asylum
www.viralnova.com

4. What causes Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia = hallucinations and/or delusional
thoughts
• Why?
-Believed to be overstimulation due to over-
representation of the dopamine and glutamate
receptors in the brain. (Straub, et al.)

5. What causes Schizophrenia?
Neurons and neurotransmitters
• https://www.premedhq.com/synapses

6. Drug treatment: Mechanism
www.nursingguides.org

7. How is Schizophrenia obtained?

8. Gene 6p22.3 : Dysbindin
(DTNBP1)
- Chromosomes 6P, 8P, 10P, 13Q, 15Q, AND 22Q
This study is interested in gene 6p22.3
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/NHLRC1

9. Effects of Dysbindin mutations
• Surplus of D2 receptors presented on cell surface
-D2= dopamine receptor
**Antipsychotic drugs may reverse Schizophrenic
symptoms by blocking D2 receptors

10. Olanzapine
• Atypical antipsychotic
• Serotonin-dopamine antagonist
• Binds to dopamine receptors

11. Dysb1 in Drosophila
• Dysb1 homologous to human Dysbindin
Assumed that Drosophila with Dysb1 will
have surplus dopamine receptors.
• Previous Studies of Dysb1 flies:
Odd mating and movement behaviors

12. Big Question
Will Dysb1 Drosophila treated with Olanzapine show
improved mating behaviors?
Hypothesis
Dysb1 Drosophila treated with Olanzapine will show
mating behaviors similar to wild-type Drosophila

13. Creation of Dysb1 flies
Dysb+, Multiple inversions,
Recessive lethal, Stubby
bristles (D)
Dysb1
Recombinants =
inviable
stubby
bristles
Long
bristles &
Distinct
eye color

14. Collection of Dysb1 and wt
controls
Dysb1 males,
(-) Olanzapine
Wt males,
(+) Olanzapine
Dysb1 males,
(+) Olanzapine
Wt males,
(-) Olanzapine

15. Mating rituals test
• Aged for 3-5 days and allowed to practice mating
rituals
Wt
female Wt
male

16. Results
(-) Olanzapine (+) Olanzapine
DdDybs1 males
Wt males
No mating occurred

17. Discussion
• Hypothesis: could not draw a conclusion
• The ability to observe mating
• Experimental design
• Ways to improve this experiment
• Future experiments

18. Acknowledgments
• Sara Sheeley
• Graeme Davis, UCSF
• Jennifer Stoffel

19. www.co.shasta.ca.us