The foraging Gene and Its Behavioral Effects: Pleiotropy and Plasticity

Annu Rev Genet. 2019 Dec 3:53:373-392. doi: 10.1146/annurev-genet-112618-043536. Epub 2019 Sep 5.

Abstract

The Drosophila melanogaster foraging (for) gene is a well-established example of a gene with major effects on behavior and natural variation. This gene is best known for underlying the behavioral strategies of rover and sitter foraging larvae, having been mapped and named for this phenotype. Nevertheless, in the last three decades an extensive array of studies describing for's role as a modifier of behavior in a wide range of phenotypes, in both Drosophila and other organisms, has emerged. Furthermore, recent work reveals new insights into the genetic and molecular underpinnings of how for affects these phenotypes. In this article, we discuss the history of the for gene and its role in natural variation in behavior, plasticity, and behavioral pleiotropy, with special attention to recent findings on the molecular structure and transcriptional regulation of this gene.

Keywords: Drosophila melanogaster; behavior; foraging; plasticity; pleiotropy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ants / physiology
  • Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology*
  • Gene-Environment Interaction*
  • Genetic Pleiotropy*
  • Larva / physiology
  • Memory / physiology
  • Sleep / genetics
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Social Behavior
  • Thermotolerance / physiology

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • for protein, Drosophila