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Banse SA, Jarrett CM, Robinson KJ, Blue BW, Shaw EL, Phillips PC. The egg-counter: a novel microfluidic platform for characterization of Caenorhabditis elegans egg-laying. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:2975-2986. [PMID: 38738514 PMCID: PMC11131562 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01073b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Reproduction is a fundamental process that shapes the demography of every living organism yet is often difficult to assess with high precision in animals that produce large numbers of offspring. Here, we present a novel microfluidic research platform for studying Caenorhabditis elegans' egg-laying. The platform provides higher throughput than traditional solid-media behavioral assays while providing a very high degree of temporal resolution. Additionally, the environmental control enabled by microfluidic animal husbandry allows for experimental perturbations difficult to achieve with solid-media assays. We demonstrate the platform's utility by characterizing C. elegans egg-laying behavior at two commonly used temperatures, 15 and 20 °C. As expected, we observed a delayed onset of egg-laying at 15 °C degrees, consistent with published temperature effects on development rate. Additionally, as seen in solid media studies, egg laying output was higher under the canonical 20 °C conditions. While we validated the Egg-Counter with a study of temperature effects in wild-type animals, the platform is highly adaptable to any nematode egg-laying research where throughput or environmental control needs to be maximized without sacrificing temporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Banse
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
| | - Cody M Jarrett
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
| | - Kristin J Robinson
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
| | - Benjamin W Blue
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
| | - Emily L Shaw
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
| | - Patrick C Phillips
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
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2
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Suárez-Grimalt R, Grunwald Kadow IC, Scheunemann L. An integrative sensor of body states: how the mushroom body modulates behavior depending on physiological context. Learn Mem 2024; 31:a053918. [PMID: 38876486 PMCID: PMC11199956 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053918.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The brain constantly compares past and present experiences to predict the future, thereby enabling instantaneous and future behavioral adjustments. Integration of external information with the animal's current internal needs and behavioral state represents a key challenge of the nervous system. Recent advancements in dissecting the function of the Drosophila mushroom body (MB) at the single-cell level have uncovered its three-layered logic and parallel systems conveying positive and negative values during associative learning. This review explores a lesser-known role of the MB in detecting and integrating body states such as hunger, thirst, and sleep, ultimately modulating motivation and sensory-driven decisions based on the physiological state of the fly. State-dependent signals predominantly affect the activity of modulatory MB input neurons (dopaminergic, serotoninergic, and octopaminergic), but also induce plastic changes directly at the level of the MB intrinsic and output neurons. Thus, the MB emerges as a tightly regulated relay station in the insect brain, orchestrating neuroadaptations due to current internal and behavioral states leading to short- but also long-lasting changes in behavior. While these adaptations are crucial to ensure fitness and survival, recent findings also underscore how circuit motifs in the MB may reflect fundamental design principles that contribute to maladaptive behaviors such as addiction or depression-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Suárez-Grimalt
- Institute for Biology/Genetics, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Neurophysiologie and NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Lisa Scheunemann
- Institute for Biology/Genetics, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Neurophysiologie and NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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3
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Wu MS, Liao TW, Wu CY, Hsieh TH, Kuo PC, Li YC, Cheng KC, Chiang HC. Aversive conditioning information transmission in Drosophila. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113207. [PMID: 37782557 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals rapidly acquire surrounding information to perform the appropriate behavior. Although social learning is more efficient and accessible than self-learning for animals, the detailed regulatory mechanism of social learning remains unknown, mainly because of the complicated information transfer between animals, especially for aversive conditioning information transmission. The current study revealed that, during social learning, the neural circuit in observer flies used to process acquired aversive conditioning information from demonstrator flies differs from the circuit used for self-learned classic aversive conditioning. This aversive information transfer is species dependent. Solitary flies cannot learn this information through social learning, suggesting that this ability is not an innate behavior. Neurons used to process and execute avoidance behavior to escape from electrically shocked flies are all in the same brain region, indicating that the fly brain has a common center for integrating external stimuli with internal states to generate flight behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Shiun Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Wei Liao
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yuan Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Han Hsieh
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Chung Kuo
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yue-Chiun Li
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Chung Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Cheng Chiang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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4
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Banse SA, Jarrett CM, Robinson KJ, Blue BW, Shaw EL, Phillips PC. The Egg-Counter: A novel microfluidic platform for characterization of Caenorhabditis elegans egg-laying. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.01.555781. [PMID: 37732270 PMCID: PMC10508723 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.01.555781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Reproduction is a fundamental process that shapes the demography of every living organism yet is often difficult to assess with high precision in animals that produce large numbers of offspring. Here, we present a novel microfluidic research platform for studying Caenorhabditis elegans' egg-laying. The platform provides higher throughput than traditional solid-media assays while providing a very high degree of temporal resolution. Additionally, the environmental control enabled by microfluidic animal husbandry allows for experimental perturbations difficult to achieve with solid-media assays. We demonstrate the platform's utility by characterizing C. elegans egg-laying behavior at two commonly used temperatures, 15 and 20°C. As expected, we observed a delayed onset of egg-laying at 15°C degrees, consistent with published temperature effects on development rate. Additionally, as seen in solid media studies, egg laying output was higher under the canonical 20°C conditions. While we validated the Egg-Counter with a study of temperature effects in wild-type animals, the platform is highly adaptable to any nematode egg-laying research where throughput or environmental control needs to be maximized without sacrificing temporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A. Banse
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Cody M. Jarrett
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Kristin J. Robinson
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Benjamin W. Blue
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Emily L. Shaw
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Patrick C. Phillips
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
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5
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Ahmed M, Rajagopalan AE, Pan Y, Li Y, Williams DL, Pedersen EA, Thakral M, Previero A, Close KC, Christoforou CP, Cai D, Turner GC, Clowney EJ. Input density tunes Kenyon cell sensory responses in the Drosophila mushroom body. Curr Biol 2023; 33:2742-2760.e12. [PMID: 37348501 PMCID: PMC10529417 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.05.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The ability to discriminate sensory stimuli with overlapping features is thought to arise in brain structures called expansion layers, where neurons carrying information about sensory features make combinatorial connections onto a much larger set of cells. For 50 years, expansion coding has been a prime topic of theoretical neuroscience, which seeks to explain how quantitative parameters of the expansion circuit influence sensory sensitivity, discrimination, and generalization. Here, we investigate the developmental events that produce the quantitative parameters of the arthropod expansion layer, called the mushroom body. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model, we employ genetic and chemical tools to engineer changes to circuit development. These allow us to produce living animals with hypothesis-driven variations on natural expansion layer wiring parameters. We then test the functional and behavioral consequences. By altering the number of expansion layer neurons (Kenyon cells) and their dendritic complexity, we find that input density, but not cell number, tunes neuronal odor selectivity. Simple odor discrimination behavior is maintained when the Kenyon cell number is reduced and augmented by Kenyon cell number expansion. Animals with increased input density to each Kenyon cell show increased overlap in Kenyon cell odor responses and become worse at odor discrimination tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ahmed
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Adithya E Rajagopalan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yijie Pan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
| | - Donnell L Williams
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Erik A Pedersen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Manav Thakral
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Angelica Previero
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kari C Close
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | | | - Dawen Cai
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA; Biophysics LS&A, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Neuroscience Institute Affiliate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Glenn C Turner
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - E Josephine Clowney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Neuroscience Institute Affiliate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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6
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Álvarez-Ocaña R, Shahandeh MP, Ray V, Auer TO, Gompel N, Benton R. Odor-regulated oviposition behavior in an ecological specialist. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3041. [PMID: 37236992 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38722-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Colonization of a novel ecological niche can require, or be driven by, evolution of an animal's behaviors promoting their reproductive success. We investigated the evolution and sensory basis of oviposition in Drosophila sechellia, a close relative of Drosophila melanogaster that exhibits extreme specialism for Morinda citrifolia noni fruit. D. sechellia produces fewer eggs than other drosophilids and lays these almost exclusively on noni substrates. We show that visual, textural and social cues do not explain this species-specific preference. By contrast, we find that loss of olfactory input in D. sechellia, but not D. melanogaster, essentially abolishes egg-laying, suggesting that olfaction gates gustatory-driven noni preference. Noni odors are detected by redundant olfactory pathways, but we discover a role for hexanoic acid and the cognate Ionotropic receptor 75b (Ir75b) in odor-evoked oviposition. Through receptor exchange in D. melanogaster, we provide evidence for a causal contribution of odor-tuning changes in Ir75b to the evolution of D. sechellia's oviposition behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Álvarez-Ocaña
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michael P Shahandeh
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vijayaditya Ray
- Evolutionary Ecology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Fakultät für Biologie, Biozentrum, Grosshaderner Strasse 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Thomas O Auer
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Gompel
- Evolutionary Ecology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Fakultät für Biologie, Biozentrum, Grosshaderner Strasse 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Richard Benton
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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7
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Ahmed M, Rajagopalan AE, Pan Y, Li Y, Williams DL, Pedersen EA, Thakral M, Previero A, Close KC, Christoforou CP, Cai D, Turner GC, Clowney EJ. Hacking brain development to test models of sensory coding. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.525425. [PMID: 36747712 PMCID: PMC9900841 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.525425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Animals can discriminate myriad sensory stimuli but can also generalize from learned experience. You can probably distinguish the favorite teas of your colleagues while still recognizing that all tea pales in comparison to coffee. Tradeoffs between detection, discrimination, and generalization are inherent at every layer of sensory processing. During development, specific quantitative parameters are wired into perceptual circuits and set the playing field on which plasticity mechanisms play out. A primary goal of systems neuroscience is to understand how material properties of a circuit define the logical operations-computations--that it makes, and what good these computations are for survival. A cardinal method in biology-and the mechanism of evolution--is to change a unit or variable within a system and ask how this affects organismal function. Here, we make use of our knowledge of developmental wiring mechanisms to modify hard-wired circuit parameters in the Drosophila melanogaster mushroom body and assess the functional and behavioral consequences. By altering the number of expansion layer neurons (Kenyon cells) and their dendritic complexity, we find that input number, but not cell number, tunes odor selectivity. Simple odor discrimination performance is maintained when Kenyon cell number is reduced and augmented by Kenyon cell expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ahmed
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Adithya E. Rajagopalan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
- The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yijie Pan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
| | - Donnell L. Williams
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Erik A. Pedersen
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Manav Thakral
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Angelica Previero
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Kari C. Close
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | | | - Dawen Cai
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
- Biophysics LS&A, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute Affiliate
| | - Glenn C. Turner
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - E. Josephine Clowney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute Affiliate
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8
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Synaptic Development in Diverse Olfactory Neuron Classes Uses Distinct Temporal and Activity-Related Programs. J Neurosci 2023; 43:28-55. [PMID: 36446587 PMCID: PMC9838713 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0884-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing neurons must meet core molecular, cellular, and temporal requirements to ensure the correct formation of synapses, resulting in functional circuits. However, because of the vast diversity in neuronal class and function, it is unclear whether or not all neurons use the same organizational mechanisms to form synaptic connections and achieve functional and morphologic maturation. Moreover, it remains unknown whether neurons united in a common goal and comprising the same sensory circuit develop on similar timescales and use identical molecular approaches to ensure the formation of the correct number of synapses. To begin to answer these questions, we took advantage of the Drosophila antennal lobe (AL), a model olfactory circuit with remarkable genetic access and synapse-level resolution. Using tissue-specific genetic labeling of active zones, we performed a quantitative analysis of synapse formation in multiple classes of neurons of both sexes throughout development and adulthood. We found that olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), projection neurons (PNs), and local interneurons (LNs) each have unique time courses of synaptic development, addition, and refinement, demonstrating that each class follows a distinct developmental program. This raised the possibility that these classes may also have distinct molecular requirements for synapse formation. We genetically altered neuronal activity in each neuronal subtype and observed differing effects on synapse number based on the neuronal class examined. Silencing neuronal activity in ORNs, PNs, and LNs impaired synaptic development but only in ORNs did enhancing neuronal activity influence synapse formation. ORNs and LNs demonstrated similar impairment of synaptic development with enhanced activity of a master kinase, GSK-3β, suggesting that neuronal activity and GSK-3β kinase activity function in a common pathway. ORNs also, however, demonstrated impaired synaptic development with GSK-3β loss-of-function, suggesting additional activity-independent roles in development. Ultimately, our results suggest that the requirements for synaptic development are not uniform across all neuronal classes with considerable diversity existing in both their developmental time frames and molecular requirements. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of synaptic development and lay the foundation for future work determining their underlying etiologies.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Distinct olfactory neuron classes in Drosophila develop a mature synaptic complement over unique timelines and using distinct activity-dependent and molecular programs, despite having the same generalized goal of olfactory sensation.
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Abstract
Among the many wonders of nature, the sense of smell of the fly Drosophila melanogaster might seem, at first glance, of esoteric interest. Nevertheless, for over a century, the 'nose' of this insect has been an extraordinary system to explore questions in animal behaviour, ecology and evolution, neuroscience, physiology and molecular genetics. The insights gained are relevant for our understanding of the sensory biology of vertebrates, including humans, and other insect species, encompassing those detrimental to human health. Here, I present an overview of our current knowledge of D. melanogaster olfaction, from molecules to behaviours, with an emphasis on the historical motivations of studies and illustration of how technical innovations have enabled advances. I also highlight some of the pressing and long-term questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Benton
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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10
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Keesey IW. Sensory neuroecology and multimodal evolution across the genus Drosophila. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.932344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural basis and genetic mechanisms for sensory evolution are increasingly being explored in depth across many closely related members of the Drosophila genus. This has, in part, been achieved due to the immense efforts toward adapting gene-editing technologies for additional, non-model species. Studies targeting both peripheral sensory variations, as well as interspecies divergence in coding or neural connectivity, have generated numerous, tangible examples of how and where the evolution of sensory-driven animal behavior has occurred. Here, we review and discuss studies that each aim to identify the neurobiological and genetic components of sensory system evolution to provide a comparative overview of the types of functional variations observed across both perceptual input and behavioral output. In addition, we examined the roles neuroecology and neuroevolution play in speciation events, such as courtship and intraspecies communication, as well as those aspects related to behavioral divergence in host navigation or egg-laying preferences. Through the investigation of comparative, large-scale trends and correlations across diverse, yet closely related species within this highly ecologically variable genus of flies, we can begin to describe the underlying pressures, mechanisms, and constraints that have guided sensory and nervous system evolution within the natural environments of these organisms.
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11
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Chen ZL, Huang C, Li XS, Li GC, Yu TH, Fu GJ, Zhang X, Song C, Bai PH, Cao L, Qian WQ, Wan FH, Han RC, Tang R. Behavioural regulator and molecular reception of a double-edge-sword hunter beetle. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:2693-2703. [PMID: 35388600 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The black carabid beetle Calosoma maximoviczi is a successful predator that serves as both a beneficial insect and a severe threat to economic herbivores. Its hunting technique relies heavily on olfaction, but the underlying mechanism has not been studied. Here, we report the electrophysiological, ecological and molecular traits of bioactive components identified from a comprehensive panel of natural odorants in the beetle-prey-plant system. The aim of this work was to investigate olfactory perceptions and their influence on the behaviours of C. maximoviczi. RESULTS Among the 200 identified volatiles, 18 were concentrated in beetle and prey samples, and 14 were concentrated in plants. Insect feeding damage to plants led to a shift in the emission fingerprint. Twelve volatiles were selected using successive electrophysiological tests. Field trials showed that significant sex differences existed when trapping with a single chemical or chemical mixture. Expression profiles indicated that sex-biased catches were related to the expression of 15 annotated CmaxOBPs and 40 CmaxORs across 12 chemosensory organs. In silico evaluations were conducted with 16 CmaxORs using modelling and docking. Better recognition was predicted for the pairs CmaxOR5-(Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, CmaxOR6-β-caryophyllene, CmaxOR18-(E)-β-ocimene and CmaxOR18-tetradecane, with higher binding affinity and a suitable binding pocket. Lastly, 168Y in CmaxOR6 and 142Y in CmaxOR18 were predicted as key amino acid residues for binding β-caryophyllene and tetradecane, respectively. CONCLUSION This work provides an example pipeline for de novo investigation in C. maximoviczi baits and the underlying olfactory perceptions. The results will benefit the future development of trapping-based integrated pest management strategies and the deorphanization of odorant receptors in ground beetles. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeng-Liang Chen
- Sericultural Institute of Liaoning Province, Fengcheng, China
| | - Cong Huang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xi-Sheng Li
- Sericultural Institute of Liaoning Province, Fengcheng, China
| | - Guo-Cheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ting-Hong Yu
- Sericultural Institute of Liaoning Province, Fengcheng, China
| | - Guan-Jun Fu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ce Song
- Sericultural Institute of Liaoning Province, Fengcheng, China
| | - Peng-Hua Bai
- Institute of Plant Protection, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Li Cao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wan-Qiang Qian
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fang-Hao Wan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- College of Plant Health and Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ri-Chou Han
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Vyas M, Parepally SK, Kamala Jayanthi PD. Is the Natural Instinct to Oviposit in Mated Female Oriental Fruit Fly, Bactrocera dorsalis More of a Brain-Independent Act? Front Physiol 2022; 13:800441. [PMID: 35360250 PMCID: PMC8964073 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.800441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
What physiological and neuro-molecular changes control the female oviposition behavior post-mating in insects? The molecular changes that occur in a gravid female insect are difficult to dissect out considering the distinct behavioral patterns displayed by different insect groups. To understand the role of the brain center in Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis oviposition, egg-laying behavior was analyzed in γ-octalactone exposed, decapitated mated B. dorsalis females. Interestingly, the females displayed a possible urge to oviposit, which suggests a natural instinct to pass on the gene pool. Expression analysis of certain genes involved in oviposition behavior was also carried out in these insects to explore the molecular aspects of such behavior. This study tries to assess the involvement of brain center in egg-laying and also explore the role of certain neurotransmitter-related receptors in decapitated B. dorsalis oviposition behavior. Our results indicate that B. dorsalis oviposition behavior could potentially have a bypass route of neuronal control devoid of the brain. The study reported here establishes that decapitation in gravid females fails to abolish their ability to sense ovipositional cues and also to oviposit.
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13
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Odorant-receptor-mediated regulation of chemosensory gene expression in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110494. [PMID: 35263579 PMCID: PMC8957105 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mosquitoes locate and approach humans based on the activity of odorant receptors (ORs) expressed on olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). Olfactogenetic experiments in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes revealed that the ectopic expression of an AgOR (AgOR2) in ORNs dampened the activity of the expressing neuron. This contrasts with studies in Drosophila melanogaster in which the ectopic expression of non-native ORs in ORNs confers ectopic neuronal responses without interfering with native olfactory physiology. RNA-seq analyses comparing wild-type antennae to those ectopically expressing AgOR2 in ORNs indicated that nearly all AgOR transcripts were significantly downregulated (except for AgOR2). Additional experiments suggest that AgOR2 protein rather than mRNA mediates this downregulation. Using in situ hybridization, we find that AgOR gene choice is active into adulthood and that AgOR2 expression inhibits AgORs from turning on at this late stage. Our study shows that the ORNs of Anopheles mosquitoes (in contrast to Drosophila) are sensitive to a currently unexplored mechanism of AgOR regulation. Maguire et al. discover that the ectopic expression of an olfactory receptor can downregulate the transcription of endogenous odorant receptors in mosquito olfactory neurons. The onset of mosquito odorant-receptor expression by an olfactory neuron continues into adult stages, and is particularly sensitive to exogenous olfactory reception expression.
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14
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Pavković-Lučić S, Trajković J, Miličić D, Anđelković B, Lučić L, Savić T, Vujisić L. "Scent of a fruit fly": Cuticular chemoprofiles after mating in differently fed Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) strains. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 109:e21866. [PMID: 35020218 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In the world of complex smells in natural environment, feeding and mating represent two important olfactory-guided behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Diet affects the chemoprofile composition of the individuals, which, indirectly, may significantly affect their mating success. In this study, chemoprofiles of recently mated flies belonging to four D. melanogaster strains, which were fed for many generations on different substrates (standard cornmeal-S strain; banana-B strain; carrot-C strain; tomato-T strain) were identified and quantified. In total, 67 chemical compounds were identified: 48 compounds were extracted from males maintained on banana and carrot, and 47 compounds from males maintained on cornmeal and tomato substrates, while total of 60 compounds were identified in females from all strains. The strains and the sexes significantly differed in qualitative nature of their chemoprofiles after mating. Significant differences in the relative amount of three major male pheromones (cis-vaccenyl acetate-cVA, (Z)-7-pentacosene, and (Z)-7-tricosene) and in female pheromone (Z,Z)-7,11-nonacosadiene among strains were also recorded. Furthermore, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) pointed to significant differences between virgin and mated individuals of all strains and within both sexes. Differences in some of the well known sex pheromones were also identified when comparing their relative amount before and after mating. The presence of typical male pheromones in females, and vice versa may indicate their bidirectional transfer during copulation. Our results confirm significant effect of mating status on cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) phenotypes in differently fed D. melanogaster flies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dragana Miličić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Luka Lučić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tatjana Savić
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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15
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Tumkaya T, Burhanudin S, Khalilnezhad A, Stewart J, Choi H, Claridge-Chang A. Most primary olfactory neurons have individually neutral effects on behavior. eLife 2022; 11:71238. [PMID: 35044905 PMCID: PMC8806191 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals use olfactory receptors to navigate mates, food, and danger. However, for complex olfactory systems, it is unknown what proportion of primary olfactory sensory neurons can individually drive avoidance or attraction. Similarly, the rules that govern behavioral responses to receptor combinations are unclear. We used optogenetic analysis in Drosophila to map the behavior elicited by olfactory-receptor neuron (ORN) classes: just one-fifth of ORN-types drove either avoidance or attraction. Although wind and hunger are closely linked to olfaction, neither had much effect on single-class responses. Several pooling rules have been invoked to explain how ORN types combine their behavioral influences; we activated two-way combinations and compared patterns of single- and double-ORN responses: these comparisons were inconsistent with simple pooling. We infer that the majority of primary olfactory sensory neurons have neutral behavioral effects individually, but participate in broad, odor-elicited ensembles with potent behavioral effects arising from complex interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - James Stewart
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke NUS Graduate Medical School
| | - Hyungwon Choi
- Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore
| | - Adam Claridge-Chang
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke NUS Graduate Medical School
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16
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Matsunaga T, Reisenman CE, Goldman-Huertas B, Brand P, Miao K, Suzuki HC, Verster KI, Ramírez SR, Whiteman NK. Evolution of olfactory receptors tuned to mustard oils in herbivorous Drosophilidae. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 39:6486429. [PMID: 34963012 PMCID: PMC8826531 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity of herbivorous insects is attributed to their propensity to specialize on toxic plants. In an evolutionary twist, toxins betray the identity of their bearers when herbivores coopt them as cues for host-plant finding, but the evolutionary mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. We focused on Scaptomyza flava, an herbivorous drosophilid specialized on isothiocyanate (ITC)-producing (Brassicales) plants, and identified Or67b paralogs that were triplicated as mustard-specific herbivory evolved. Using in vivo heterologous systems for the expression of olfactory receptors, we found that S. flava Or67bs, but not the homologs from microbe-feeding relatives, responded selectively to ITCs, each paralog detecting different ITC subsets. Consistent with this, S. flava was attracted to ITCs, as was Drosophila melanogaster expressing S. flava Or67b3 in the homologous Or67b olfactory circuit. ITCs were likely coopted as olfactory attractants through gene duplication and functional specialization (neofunctionalization and subfunctionalization) in S. flava, a recently derived herbivore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruyuki Matsunaga
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Carolina E Reisenman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Benjamin Goldman-Huertas
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
| | - Philipp Brand
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Kevin Miao
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Hiromu C Suzuki
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Kirsten I Verster
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Santiago R Ramírez
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA
| | - Noah K Whiteman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
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17
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Vesterberg A, Rizkalla R, Fitzpatrick MJ. Environmental influences on for-mediated oviposition decisions in Drosophila melanogaster. J Neurogenet 2021; 35:262-273. [PMID: 34259125 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2021.1950713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Deciding whether or not to lay an egg on a given substrate is an important task undertaken by females of many arthropods. It involves perceiving the environment (e.g. quality of the substrate, temperature, and humidity), formulating a decision, and then conducting the appropriate behaviours to oviposit. This oviposition site selection (OSS) provides a useful system for studying simple decision-making. OSS in fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, is influenced by both genetic and environmental variation. Naturally occurring allelic variation in the foraging gene (for) is known to affect OSS. Given a choice of high- and low-nutrient oviposition substrates, groups of rovers (forR) are known to lay significantly more of their eggs on low-nutrient sites than sitters (fors) and sitter mutants (fors2). Here we ask three questions: (1) Is the role of for in OSS affected by the availability of alternate oviposition sites? (2) Is the role of for in OSS sensitive to the density of ovipositing females? and (3) Does the gustatory sensation of yeast play a role in for-mediated variation in OSS? We find a role of choice and female density in rover/sitter differences in OSS, as well as a role of for in response to glycerol, an indicator of yeast. The role of for in OSS decision-making is complex and multi-faceted and should prove fertile ground for further research into the factors affecting decision-making behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Vesterberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.,Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rudy Rizkalla
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mark J Fitzpatrick
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Canada.,Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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18
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Yapici N. Mechanosensation: Too Hard or Too Soft? Curr Biol 2021; 30:R936-R939. [PMID: 32810453 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Maternal decisions, such as where to build a nest or where to lay your eggs, are critical for the offspring's fitness and survival in any species. A new study in Drosophila now reveals that distinct classes of mechanosensory receptors and neurons fine tune the physical assessment of an oviposition site and determine where the female fly lays her eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilay Yapici
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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19
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Shrestha B, Lee Y. Mechanisms of DEET gustation in Drosophila. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 131:103550. [PMID: 33549816 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
DEET is the most widely used active ingredient in insect repellents and offers protection against insect bites. We previously reported that DEET suppresses the feeding behavior of Drosophila, which is guided by gustatory receptors (GRs) in bitter-sensing gustatory receptor neurons. Here, we sought to identify new candidates using egg-laying assays. Upon screening all GR mutants, GR89a was identified as a potential DEET receptor. Gr89a mutants exhibited reduced oviposition avoidance, feeding avoidance, and electrophysiological responses compared to Gr32a, Gr33a, and Gr66a mutants. However, GR89a was found to modulate DEET avoidance, as demonstrated by genetic and RNA interference assays. Furthermore, we found that DEET ingestion severely affected larval and pupal development and survival, and therefore may act as an effective larvicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhanu Shrestha
- Department of Bio & Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngseok Lee
- Department of Bio & Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea; Interdisciplinary Program for Bio-Health Convergence, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Sadanandappa MK, Sathyanarayana SH, Kondo S, Bosco G. Neuropeptide F signaling regulates parasitoid-specific germline development and egg-laying in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009456. [PMID: 33770070 PMCID: PMC8026082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila larvae and pupae are at high risk of parasitoid infection in nature. To circumvent parasitic stress, fruit flies have developed various survival strategies, including cellular and behavioral defenses. We show that adult Drosophila females exposed to the parasitic wasps, Leptopilina boulardi, decrease their total egg-lay by deploying at least two strategies: Retention of fully developed follicles reduces the number of eggs laid, while induction of caspase-mediated apoptosis eliminates the vitellogenic follicles. These reproductive defense strategies require both visual and olfactory cues, but not the MB247-positive mushroom body neuronal function, suggesting a novel mode of sensory integration mediates reduced egg-laying in the presence of a parasitoid. We further show that neuropeptide F (NPF) signaling is necessary for both retaining matured follicles and activating apoptosis in vitellogenic follicles. Whereas previous studies have found that gut-derived NPF controls germ stem cell proliferation, we show that sensory-induced changes in germ cell development specifically require brain-derived NPF signaling, which recruits a subset of NPFR-expressing cell-types that control follicle development and retention. Importantly, we found that reduced egg-lay behavior is specific to parasitic wasps that infect the developing Drosophila larvae, but not the pupae. Our findings demonstrate that female fruit flies use multimodal sensory integration and neuroendocrine signaling via NPF to engage in parasite-specific cellular and behavioral survival strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumala K. Sadanandappa
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Shivaprasad H. Sathyanarayana
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Shu Kondo
- Invertebrate Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Giovanni Bosco
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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21
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Puñal VM, Ahmed M, Thornton-Kolbe EM, Clowney EJ. Untangling the wires: development of sparse, distributed connectivity in the mushroom body calyx. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:91-112. [PMID: 33404837 PMCID: PMC9835099 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03386-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate perception and representation of sensory stimuli pose an everyday challenge to the brain. In order to represent the wide and unpredictable array of environmental stimuli, principle neurons of associative learning regions receive sparse, combinatorial sensory inputs. Despite the broad role of such networks in sensory neural circuits, the developmental mechanisms underlying their emergence are not well understood. As mammalian sensory coding regions are numerically complex and lack the accessibility of simpler invertebrate systems, we chose to focus this review on the numerically simpler, yet functionally similar, Drosophila mushroom body calyx. We bring together current knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms orchestrating calyx development, in addition to drawing insights from literature regarding construction of sparse wiring in the mammalian cerebellum. From this, we formulate hypotheses to guide our future understanding of the development of this critical perceptual center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M. Puñal
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Maria Ahmed
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emma M. Thornton-Kolbe
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA,Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - E. Josephine Clowney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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22
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Xiao Y, An XK, Khashaveh A, Shan S, Wang Q, Wang SN, Gu SH, Li ZY, Zhang YJ. Broadly Tuned Odorant Receptor AlinOR59 Involved in Chemoreception of Floral Scent in Adelphocoris lineolatus. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:13815-13823. [PMID: 33151685 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c04434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plant volatiles such as floral scent compounds play a crucial role in mediating insect host locating, mate search, and oviposition sites selection. The alfalfa plant bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze), is a seriously polyphagous herbivore of alfalfa and cotton that has an obvious preference for flowering host plants. In this study, we focused on the role of an odorant receptor AlinOR59 in the perception of plant volatiles in A. lineolatus. In situ hybridization showed that AlinOR59 was coexpressed with the coreceptor AlinORco in the ORNs cell located in the long curved sensilla trichodea on antennae of both genders. The Xenopus oocytes expression coupled with two-electrode voltage clamp recordings demonstrated that AlinOR59 responded to 15 plant volatiles. In electroantennogram assays, all of the above 15 compounds could excite electrophysiological responses in the antennae of adult bugs. Furthermore, an important floral scent compound, methyl salicylate, was utilized to evaluate the behavioral responses of A. lineolatus. It was found that adult bugs of both genders were significantly attracted to methyl salicylate. Taken together, our findings suggest that AlinOR59 plays a crucial role in the perception of floral scents in A. lineolatus and could be used as a potential target to design novel olfactory regulators for the management of bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Xiao
- Institute of Plant Protection, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Guangzhou 510640, China
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xing-Kui An
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Adel Khashaveh
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuang Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shan-Ning Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
- Institute of Plant and Environment Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Shao-Hua Gu
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yong-Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
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23
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Kryklywy JH, Ehlers MR, Anderson AK, Todd RM. From Architecture to Evolution: Multisensory Evidence of Decentralized Emotion. Trends Cogn Sci 2020; 24:916-929. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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24
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Wu Z, Cui Y, Ma J, Qu M, Lin J. Analyses of chemosensory genes provide insight into the evolution of behavioral differences to phytochemicals in Bactrocera species. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2020; 151:106858. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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25
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Zhao Z, McBride CS. Evolution of olfactory circuits in insects. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2020; 206:353-367. [PMID: 31984441 PMCID: PMC7192870 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-020-01399-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in the evolution of neural circuits. Comparison of animals from different families, orders, and phyla reveals fascinating variation in brain morphology, circuit structure, and neural cell types. However, it can be difficult to connect the complex changes that occur across long evolutionary distances to behavior. Luckily, these changes accumulate through processes that should also be observable in recent time, making more tractable comparisons of closely related species relevant and complementary. Here, we review several decades of research on the evolution of insect olfactory circuits across short evolutionary time scales. We describe two well-studied systems, Drosophila sechellia flies and Heliothis moths, in detailed case studies. We then move through key types of circuit evolution, cataloging examples from other insects and looking for general patterns. The literature is dominated by changes in sensory neuron number and tuning at the periphery-often enhancing neural response to odorants with new ecological or social relevance. However, changes in the way olfactory information is processed by central circuits is clearly important in a few cases, and we suspect the development of genetic tools in non-model species will reveal a broad role for central circuit evolution. Moving forward, such tools should also be used to rigorously test causal links between brain evolution and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilei Zhao
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
| | - Carolyn S McBride
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
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26
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Matthews BJ, Vosshall LB. How to turn an organism into a model organism in 10 'easy' steps. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 223:223/Suppl_1/jeb218198. [PMID: 32034051 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.218198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Many of the major biological discoveries of the 20th century were made using just six species: Escherichia coli bacteria, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes, Drosophila melanogaster flies and Mus musculus mice. Our molecular understanding of the cell division cycle, embryonic development, biological clocks and metabolism were all obtained through genetic analysis using these species. Yet the 'big 6' did not start out as genetic model organisms (hereafter 'model organisms'), so how did they mature into such powerful systems? First, these model organisms are abundant human commensals: they are the bacteria in our gut, the yeast in our beer and bread, the nematodes in our compost pile, the flies in our kitchen and the mice in our walls. Because of this, they are cheaply, easily and rapidly bred in the laboratory and in addition were amenable to genetic analysis. How and why should we add additional species to this roster? We argue that specialist species will reveal new secrets in important areas of biology and that with modern technological innovations like next-generation sequencing and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, the time is ripe to move beyond the big 6. In this review, we chart a 10-step path to this goal, using our own experience with the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which we built into a model organism for neurobiology in one decade. Insights into the biology of this deadly disease vector require that we work with the mosquito itself rather than modeling its biology in another species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Matthews
- Department of Zoology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - Leslie B Vosshall
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Kavli Neural Systems Institute, New York, NY 10065, USA
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27
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Elkahlah NA, Rogow JA, Ahmed M, Clowney EJ. Presynaptic developmental plasticity allows robust sparse wiring of the Drosophila mushroom body. eLife 2020; 9:e52278. [PMID: 31913123 PMCID: PMC7028369 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to represent complex stimuli, principle neurons of associative learning regions receive combinatorial sensory inputs. Density of combinatorial innervation is theorized to determine the number of distinct stimuli that can be represented and distinguished from one another, with sparse innervation thought to optimize the complexity of representations in networks of limited size. How the convergence of combinatorial inputs to principle neurons of associative brain regions is established during development is unknown. Here, we explore the developmental patterning of sparse olfactory inputs to Kenyon cells of the Drosophila melanogaster mushroom body. By manipulating the ratio between pre- and post-synaptic cells, we find that postsynaptic Kenyon cells set convergence ratio: Kenyon cells produce fixed distributions of dendritic claws while presynaptic processes are plastic. Moreover, we show that sparse odor responses are preserved in mushroom bodies with reduced cellular repertoires, suggesting that developmental specification of convergence ratio allows functional robustness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najia A Elkahlah
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental BiologyThe University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Jackson A Rogow
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and BehaviorThe Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Maria Ahmed
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental BiologyThe University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - E Josephine Clowney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental BiologyThe University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
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Currier TA, Nagel KI. Multisensory control of navigation in the fruit fly. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2019; 64:10-16. [PMID: 31841944 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Spatial navigation is influenced by cues from nearly every sensory modality and thus provides an excellent model for understanding how different sensory streams are integrated to drive behavior. Here we review recent work on multisensory control of navigation in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, which allows for detailed circuit dissection. We identify four modes of integration that have been described in the literature-suppression, gating, summation, and association-and describe regions of the larval and adult brain that have been implicated in sensory integration. Finally we discuss what circuit architectures might support these different forms of integration. We argue that Drosophila is an excellent model to discover these circuit and biophysical motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Currier
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, 435 E 30th St., New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Katherine I Nagel
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Medical Center, 435 E 30th St., New York, NY 10016, USA; Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003, USA.
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29
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Amin H, Lin AC. Neuronal mechanisms underlying innate and learned olfactory processing in Drosophila. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 36:9-17. [PMID: 31280185 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Olfaction allows animals to adapt their behavior in response to different chemical cues in their environment. How does the brain efficiently discriminate different odors to drive appropriate behavior, and how does it flexibly assign value to odors to adjust behavior according to experience? This review traces neuronal mechanisms underlying these processes in adult Drosophila melanogaster from olfactory receptors to higher brain centers. We highlight neural circuit principles such as lateral inhibition, segregation and integration of olfactory channels, temporal accumulation of sensory evidence, and compartmentalized synaptic plasticity underlying associative memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoger Amin
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C Lin
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom.
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30
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Verschut TA, Carlsson MA, Hambäck PA. Scaling the interactive effects of attractive and repellent odours for insect search behaviour. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15309. [PMID: 31653955 PMCID: PMC6814803 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51834-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects searching for resources are exposed to a complexity of mixed odours, often involving both attractant and repellent substances. Understanding how insects respond to this complexity of cues is crucial for understanding consumer-resource interactions, but also to develop novel tools to control harmful pests. To advance our understanding of insect responses to combinations of attractive and repellent odours, we formulated three qualitative hypotheses; the response-ratio hypothesis, the repellent-threshold hypothesis and the odour-modulation hypothesis. The hypotheses were tested by exposing Drosophila melanogaster in a wind tunnel to combinations of vinegar as attractant and four known repellents; benzaldehyde, 1-octen-3-ol, geosmin and phenol. The responses to benzaldehyde, 1-octen-3-ol and geosmin provided support for the response-ratio hypothesis, which assumes that the behavioural response depends on the ratio between attractants and repellents. The response to phenol, rather supported the repellent-threshold hypothesis, where aversion only occurs above a threshold concentration of the repellent due to overshadowing of the attractant. We hypothesize that the different responses may be connected to the localization of receptors, as receptors detecting phenol are located on the maxillary palps whereas receptors detecting the other odorants are located on the antennae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Verschut
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Mikael A Carlsson
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter A Hambäck
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
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31
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Evolutionarily conserved anatomical and physiological properties of olfactory pathway through fourth-order neurons in a species of grasshopper (Hieroglyphus banian). J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2019; 205:813-838. [DOI: 10.1007/s00359-019-01369-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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32
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Cury KM, Prud'homme B, Gompel N. A short guide to insect oviposition: when, where and how to lay an egg. J Neurogenet 2019; 33:75-89. [PMID: 31164023 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2019.1586898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Egg-laying behavior is one of the most important aspects of female behavior, and has a profound impact on the fitness of a species. As such, it is controlled by several layers of regulation. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of insect neural circuits that control when, where and how to lay an egg. We also outline outstanding open questions about the control of egg-laying decisions, and speculate on the possible neural underpinnings that can drive the diversification of oviposition behaviors through evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Cury
- a Department of Neuroscience and the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute , Columbia University , New York , NY , USA
| | - Benjamin Prud'homme
- b Aix Marseille Université, CNRS , Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM) , Marseille , France
| | - Nicolas Gompel
- c Fakultät für Biologie, Biozentrum , Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München , Munich , Germany
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