# Epigenetic Reprogramming of Behaviors with Sensory Experience

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $385,459

## Abstract

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is associated with long-lasting behavioral
changes in animal models and humans. In response to environmental cues, epigenetic
programs regulate gene expression in matured neurons via chromatin modifications and DNA
methylation resulting in enduring neurophysiological changes. There is mounting evidence to
implicate the involvement of dysfunctional epigenetic programs in many cognitive and
neuropsychiatric disorders. However, establishing a causal link between epigenetic
mechanism and neuronal properties that underlie behavioral adaptation in complex nervous
systems has been difficult, mainly due to the paucity of behaviorally relevant neural and
genetic substrates that are targeted by epigenetic regulation. Our goal is to determine the
epigenetic basis of sensory experience-dependent changes in neurophysiology and behavior.
We take advantage of the anatomical simplicity and the powerful genetic toolkit of the
Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) involved in courtship behaviors, and the well-
established Drosophila male courtship behavior, a robust ritualistic behavior governed by a
single gene, fruitlessM (fruM) expressed in approximately 2000 interconnected neurons. Our
pilot experiments and recent studies show that olfactory experience enhances the response
of the Or47b and Ir84a ORNs in males and male courtship behavior. We also have linked
olfactory receptor (OR) signaling through calcium, and histone acetyl transferase p300 to the
expression of the transcriptional factor fruM as a molecular mechanism by which olfactory
experience regulates neurophysiology and behavior. We hypothesize that fly and food odors
in the environment lead to chromatin dependent changes in fruM transcription in sensory
neurons to modify neurophysiology and courtship behavior with olfactory experience. To test
this, we will first determine the effect of chromatin modulation by p300 on reprogramming
neurophysiology and behavior. Next, we will characterize the molecular mechanisms by which
olfactory experience and chromatin modulates fruM expression. Finally, we will determine the
transcriptional and chromatin changes in ORNs with olfactory experience.
.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10159324
- **Project number:** 5R01NS109401-04
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Corbin D Jones
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $385,459
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-15 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10159324

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10159324, Epigenetic Reprogramming of Behaviors with Sensory Experience (5R01NS109401-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10159324. Licensed CC0.

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