Studying the Human Neurodegeneration Gene PLA2G6 in the Drosophila Female Germline

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease that has rising incidence around the world. This incredibly difficult and taxing illness is highly studied, and research efforts have pointed to the PLA2G6/PARK14 gene as a possible genetic component of PD. Previous research in my mentor's lab has shown that PLA2G6 knockout leads to neurodegeneration in Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies, measured by decreasing climbing ability with age. Additionally, they found decreased female fertility in PLA2G6 knockout mutants and discovered mitochondrial damage in the germline, consistent with other research that has demonstrated PLA2G6 localization to mitochondria and its activity in preventing mitochondrial damage in healthy human cells (Seleznev, Zhao, Zhang, Song, & Ma, 2006). My current research explored whether PLA2G6 acts directly on germline mitochondria and whether there was a contribution from the somatic tissues. We observed significant mitochondrial damage in the germline upon ubiquitous somatic knockdown of PLA2G6, and further questioned which somatic tissues require PLA2G6 function. Results suggested a strong contribution from the neuronal cells, and preliminary results on the muscle cells and fat bodies require further investigation. Our research will aid in painting a clearer picture of PLA2G6's function in cells and the disease pathology found in those suffering from PLA2G6-associated neurodegenerat