A NEUROPEPTIDE GENE DEFINED BY THE DROSOPHILA MEMORY MUTANT AMNESIAC

Mutations in genes required for associative learning and memory in Dro sophila exist, but isolation of the genes has been difficult because m ost are defined by a single, chemically induced allele. Here, a simpli fied genetic screen was used to identify candidate genes involved in l earning and memory. Second site suppressors of the dunce (dnc) female sterility phenotype were isolated with the use of transposon mutagenes is. One suppressor mutation that was recovered mapped in the amnesiac (amn) gene. Cloning of the locus revealed that amn encodes a previousl y uncharacterized neuropeptide gene. Thus, with the cloning of amn, sp ecific neuropeptides are implicated in the memory process.