Lead (Pb)-induced oxidative stress mediates sex-specific autistic-like behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster

AbstractAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by three main behavioural symptoms: abnormal social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication impairments, and repetitive and restricted activities or interests. Even though the exact aetiology of ASD remains unknown, studies have shown a link between genetics and environmental pollutants. Heavy metal lead (Pb), the environmental pollutant, is associated with ASD. Pb may also exhibit sex-specific ASD behaviour, as has been demonstrated in the global human populations.Drosophila melanogaster as a model has been used in the present study to understand the involvement of Pb-induced oxidative stress in developing ASD behaviour. The larval feeding technique has been employed to administer different Pb concentrations (0.2 –0.8 mM) toOregon-R (ORR), superoxide dismutase (Sod), or catalase (Cat) antioxidants overexpressed or knockdown flies. AdultDrosophila (5-day old) were used for Pb content, biochemical, and behavioural analysis. Pb accumulated in theDrosophila brain induces oxidative stress and exhibited a human autistic-like behaviour such as reduced climbing, increased grooming, increased social spacing, and decreased learning and memory in a sex-specific manner. Pb-induced autistic-like behaviour was intensified inSod orCat-knockdown flies, whereasSod orCat-overexpressed flies overcome that behavioural alterations. These results unequivocally proved that Pb-induced ...
Source: Molecular Neurobiology - Category: Neurology Source Type: research