| dc.description.abstract | Galectins are major sugar binding proteins that can be blocked from interactions with its sugar epitopes, galactose, by sialylation. Previous research from Panin lab has showed that sialylation affects the neural excitability. Since galectins and sialylation are so intimately linked, this study examines whether galectin has a role in neural excitability. To test the hypothesis, possible mutant fly lines with galectin gene deletion were created with hobo deletion method. Next, we will screen for the fly lines that contain galectin gene deletion. Then, we will conduct functional and behavioral analysis of the galectin mutants to investigate if neurological functions of galectin mutant flies are compromised. Finally, the galectin mutant flies will be crossed with sialyltransferase mutants to examine whether the defect is rescued or amplified. The results will shed light on the molecular and genetic mechanism of galectin in the nervous system and the mode of interaction of galectin with sialylation. | |
