Blocking Neuropilin-1 in Drosophila melanogaster as a Possible Treatment for Pain and SARS-CoV-2

Authors

  • Ania Kelegama American Heritage School
  • Leya Joykutty American Heritage School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v10i3.1600

Keywords:

Drosophila melanogaster, Neuropilin, SARS-CoV-2, Pain Treatment, Nociception

Abstract

This study aims to validate a method of neuropilin-1 blocking in Drosophila melanogaster to aid the development of chronic pain treatment as well as increase scientific understanding of SARS-CoV-2 cell entry. If Drosophila melanogaster are exposed to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) used for targeted chemotherapy against neuropilin-1, then this targeted protein blocking method may allow for the development of new pain treatment and possible SARS-CoV-2 treatment. mAbs were microinjected into mutant flies to block NRP-1 activity. Then, a thermal nociception and von frey assay were done to test drosophila nociception. Finally, an IHC assay was performed to quantify protein activity. Overall, the hypothesis was supported as both nociception assays showed significant data proving mutant flies had delayed or no reactions to stimuli. The Von Frey assay did show some varying results, but the data is still significant. However, the IHC did show that there was still some NRP-1 activity in the mutant flies. NRP-1 was able to be partially blocked by mAbs. The collected data may apply to the expansion of research in pain treatment as well as COVID-19 research. Chronic pain is a prevalent area of research that is still not completely solved today. The fight against the SARS-CoV-2 is an ongoing fight and further research is mandatory in finding treatments for this deadly virus.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References or Bibliography

Graham, D., Hampshire, V. Methods for measuring pain in laboratory animals. Lab Anim 45, 99–101 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban.962

Graziani, G., & Lacal, P. M. (2015). Neuropilin-1 as therapeutic target for malignant melanoma. Frontiers in Oncology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2015.00125

Immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence staining protocol. (n.d.). https://www.abcam.com/protocols/immunocytochemistry-immunofluorescence-protocol

Khanna, R. (2020, September 21). SARS-CoV-2 infection can block pain, opening up unexpected new possibilities for research into pain relief medication. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/sars-cov-2-infection-can-block-pain-opening-up-unexpected-new-possibilities-for-research-into-pain-relief-medication-146280

Milinkeviciute G, Gentile C, Neely GG. Drosophila as a tool for studying the conserved genetics of pain. Clin Genet. 2012 Oct;82(4):359-66. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2012.01941.x. Epub 2012 Aug 22. PMID: 22880632.

Neuropilin. (n.d.). Science Direct, 2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/neuropilin

Neuropilin and tolloid-like: Biological Overview. (2020, December 15). InteractiveFly: GeneBrief. https://www.sdbonline.org/sites/fly/genebrief/neto.htm

Neuropilin and tolloid-like, isoform B [Fact sheet]. (n.d.). UniProt. https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/G4LU05

Tata, M., Tillo, M., & Ruhrberg, C. (2015). Neuropilins in Development and Disease of the Nervous System. Science Direct, 65-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800781-5.00006-2

Published

10-10-2021

How to Cite

Kelegama, A., & Joykutty, L. (2021). Blocking Neuropilin-1 in Drosophila melanogaster as a Possible Treatment for Pain and SARS-CoV-2. Journal of Student Research, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v10i3.1600

Issue

Section

HS Research Projects