Our lab uses the Acheta domesticus cricket to study the Fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene. FMR1 is associated with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic disorder, which is the single leading cause of intellectual disability and the primary cause of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FXS often presents with developmental delays, learning disabilities, and social and behavioral problems; however, several studies have noted immune dysregulation too. Humans with ASD are reported to have increased blood levels of lysozyme, an immune enzyme. Similarly, our lab found that lysozyme expression was increased in the cricket fat body (FB), an important immune organ, when fmr1 gene expression was experimentally reduced (knocked-down). In this study, we aimed to determine how this increase in lysozyme expression following fmr1 knockdown (KD) could impact blood lysozyme activity following a bacterial challenge. Using our cricket model, we dissected out FB and quantified fmr1 expression using quantitative real-time PCR for both fmr1-KD and fmr1 KD-challenged crickets. We also determined lysozyme enzyme activity in blood samples. We found that lysozyme enzyme activity is significantly elevated in male and female crickets when fmr1 expression is reduced, which correlates with our previous study that observed an increase in lysozyme expression. Additionally, lysozyme expression is significantly elevated in male and female fmr1-KD-immune challenged crickets, however, fmr1-KD females’ lysozyme activity does not differ from controls while fmr1-KD males have significantly greater activity. Interestingly, fmr1-KD males have greater lysozyme activity than fmr1-KD females. Next, we will compare male and female lysozyme expression to examine potential sex differences in the lysozyme elevation. This data further supports that fmr1 has a role in the immune system, specifically in regulating lysozyme. Furthermore, this research experience has helped prepare me for my future career by helping me form a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the sciences.
Author(s): Natalie Dureiko, Mackenzie Farleigh, Alexander Szymczak, Kathleen A. Killlian, PhD
Advisor(s): Mackenzie Farleigh, Kathleen A. Killian, Department of Biology
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