1
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Lockyer JL, Reading A, Vicenzi S, Zbela A, Viswanathan S, Delandre C, Newland JW, McMullen JPD, Marshall OJ, Gasperini R, Foa L, Lin JY. Selective optogenetic inhibition of Gα q or Gα i signaling by minimal RGS domains disrupts circuit functionality and circuit formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2411846121. [PMID: 39190348 PMCID: PMC11388284 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2411846121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques provide genetically targeted, spatially and temporally precise approaches to correlate cellular activities and physiological outcomes. In the nervous system, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have essential neuromodulatory functions through binding extracellular ligands to induce intracellular signaling cascades. In this work, we develop and validate an optogenetic tool that disrupts Gαq signaling through membrane recruitment of a minimal regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) domain. This approach, Photo-induced Gα Modulator-Inhibition of Gαq (PiGM-Iq), exhibited potent and selective inhibition of Gαq signaling. Using PiGM-Iq we alter the behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila with outcomes consistent with GPCR-Gαq disruption. PiGM-Iq changes axon guidance in cultured dorsal root ganglia neurons in response to serotonin. PiGM-Iq activation leads to developmental deficits in zebrafish embryos and larvae resulting in altered neuronal wiring and behavior. Furthermore, by altering the minimal RGS domain, we show that this approach is amenable to Gαi signaling. Our unique and robust optogenetic Gα inhibiting approaches complement existing neurobiological tools and can be used to investigate the functional effects neuromodulators that signal through GPCR and trimeric G proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayde L Lockyer
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Andrew Reading
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Silvia Vicenzi
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Agnieszka Zbela
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Saranya Viswanathan
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Caroline Delandre
- Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Jake W Newland
- Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - John P D McMullen
- Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Owen J Marshall
- Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Robert Gasperini
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Lisa Foa
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay, TAS 7005, Australia
| | - John Y Lin
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
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2
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Renault AD. Optogenetic control of Drosophila neurons: a laboratory practical for undergraduates and outreach. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION 2024:e0008624. [PMID: 39225469 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00086-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Teaching aspects of neuroscience to large undergraduate classes can be difficult in terms of the cost of equipment involved such as microscopes and electrophysiology equipment, the time taken to master techniques such as dissection or intracellular recording, and ethical concerns when using vertebrates. Here, I describe a practical that uses behavioral readouts and optogenetics on Drosophila that can be implemented with minimal cost as well as reduced ethical concerns and uses mostly observational techniques. The practical can be used to teach aspects of genetics and the tools for manipulating neuronal activity for ascribing neuronal function. The practical can be customized to fit different undergraduate levels and learning objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Renault
- School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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3
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Shiozaki HM, Wang K, Lillvis JL, Xu M, Dickson BJ, Stern DL. Activity of nested neural circuits drives different courtship songs in Drosophila. Nat Neurosci 2024:10.1038/s41593-024-01738-9. [PMID: 39198658 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01738-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Motor systems implement diverse motor programs to pattern behavioral sequences, yet how different motor actions are controlled on a moment-by-moment basis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the neural circuit mechanisms underlying the control of distinct courtship songs in Drosophila. Courting males rapidly alternate between two types of song: pulse and sine. By recording calcium signals in the ventral nerve cord in singing flies, we found that one neural population is active during both songs, whereas an expanded neural population, which includes neurons from the first population, is active during pulse song. Brain recordings showed that this nested activation pattern is present in two descending pathways required for singing. Connectomic analysis reveals that these two descending pathways provide structured input to ventral nerve cord neurons in a manner consistent with their activation patterns. These results suggest that nested premotor circuit activity, directed by distinct descending signals, enables rapid switching between motor actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi M Shiozaki
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
| | - Kaiyu Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Joshua L Lillvis
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Min Xu
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Barry J Dickson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - David L Stern
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
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4
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Watanabe K, Chiu H, Anderson DJ. HI-FISH: WHOLE BRAIN IN SITU MAPPING OF NEURONAL ACTIVATION IN DROSOPHILA DURING SOCIAL BEHAVIORS AND OPTOGENETIC STIMULATION. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.28.560045. [PMID: 37808781 PMCID: PMC10557720 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.28.560045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring neuronal activity at single-cell resolution in freely moving Drosophila engaged in social behaviors is challenging because of their small size and lack of transparency. Extant methods, such as Flyception, are highly invasive. Whole-brain calcium imaging in head-fixed, walking flies is feasible but the animals cannot perform the consummatory phases of social behaviors like aggression or mating under these conditions. This has left open the fundamental question of whether neurons identified as functionally important for such behaviors using loss- or gain-of-function screens are actually active during the natural performance of such behaviors, and if so during which phase(s). Here we perform brain-wide mapping of active cells expressing the Immediate Early Gene hr38 using a high-sensitivity/low background FISH amplification method called HCR-3.0. Using double-labeling for hr38 mRNA and for GFP, we describe the activity of several classes of aggression-promoting neurons during courtship and aggression, including P1 a cells, an intensively studied population of male-specific interneurons. Using HI-FISH in combination with optogenetic activation of aggression-promoting neurons (opto-HI-FISH) we identify candidate downstream functional targets of these cells in a brain-wide, unbiased manner. Finally we compare the activity of P1 a neurons during sequential performance of courtship and aggression, using intronic vs. exonic hr38 probes to differentiate newly synthesized nuclear transcripts from cytoplasmic transcripts synthesized at an earlier time. These data provide evidence suggesting that different subsets of P1 a neurons may be active during courtship vs. aggression. HI-FISH and associated methods may help to fill an important lacuna in the armamentarium of tools for neural circuit analysis in Drosophila .
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5
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Gautham AK, Miner LE, Franco MN, Thornquist SC, Crickmore MA. Dopamine biases decisions by limiting temporal integration. Nature 2024; 632:850-857. [PMID: 39085606 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07749-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Motivations bias our responses to stimuli, producing behavioural outcomes that match our needs and goals. Here we describe a mechanism behind this phenomenon: adjusting the time over which stimulus-derived information is permitted to accumulate towards a decision. As a Drosophila copulation progresses, the male becomes less likely to continue mating through challenges1-3. We show that a set of copulation decision neurons (CDNs) flexibly integrates information about competing drives to mediate this decision. Early in mating, dopamine signalling restricts CDN integration time by potentiating Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activation in response to stimulatory inputs, imposing a high threshold for changing behaviours. Later into mating, the timescale over which the CDNs integrate termination-promoting information expands, increasing the likelihood of switching behaviours. We suggest scalable windows of temporal integration at dedicated circuit nodes as a key but underappreciated variable in state-based decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K Gautham
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren E Miner
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marco N Franco
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen C Thornquist
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Laboratory of Integrative Brain Function, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Michael A Crickmore
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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6
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Nanami T, Yamada D, Someya M, Hige T, Kazama H, Kohno T. A lightweight data-driven spiking neuronal network model of Drosophila olfactory nervous system with dedicated hardware support. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1384336. [PMID: 38994271 PMCID: PMC11238178 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1384336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Data-driven spiking neuronal network (SNN) models enable in-silico analysis of the nervous system at the cellular and synaptic level. Therefore, they are a key tool for elucidating the information processing principles of the brain. While extensive research has focused on developing data-driven SNN models for mammalian brains, their complexity poses challenges in achieving precision. Network topology often relies on statistical inference, and the functions of specific brain regions and supporting neuronal activities remain unclear. Additionally, these models demand huge computing facilities and their simulation speed is considerably slower than real-time. Here, we propose a lightweight data-driven SNN model that strikes a balance between simplicity and reproducibility. The model is built using a qualitative modeling approach that can reproduce key dynamics of neuronal activity. We target the Drosophila olfactory nervous system, extracting its network topology from connectome data. The model was successfully implemented on a small entry-level field-programmable gate array and simulated the activity of a network in real-time. In addition, the model reproduced olfactory associative learning, the primary function of the olfactory system, and characteristic spiking activities of different neuron types. In sum, this paper propose a method for building data-driven SNN models from biological data. Our approach reproduces the function and neuronal activities of the nervous system and is lightweight, acceleratable with dedicated hardware, making it scalable to large-scale networks. Therefore, our approach is expected to play an important role in elucidating the brain's information processing at the cellular and synaptic level through an analysis-by-construction approach. In addition, it may be applicable to edge artificial intelligence systems in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Nanami
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro Ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daichi Yamada
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Makoto Someya
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Toshihide Hige
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Hokto Kazama
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takashi Kohno
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro Ku, Tokyo, Japan
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7
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Kim H, Zhong Z, Cui X, Sung H, Agrawal N, Jiang T, Dus M, Yapici N. HisCl1 regulates gustatory habituation in sweet taste neurons and mediates sugar ingestion in Drosophila. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.06.592591. [PMID: 38765964 PMCID: PMC11100615 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.06.592591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Similar to other animals, the fly, Drosophila melanogaster, reduces its responsiveness to tastants with repeated exposure, a phenomenon called gustatory habituation. Previous studies have focused on the circuit basis of gustatory habituation in the fly chemosensory system1,2. However, gustatory neurons reduce their firing rate during repeated stimulation3, suggesting that cell-autonomous mechanisms also contribute to habituation. Here, we used deep learning-based pose estimation and optogenetic stimulation to demonstrate that continuous activation of sweet taste neurons causes gustatory habituation in flies. We conducted a transgenic RNAi screen to identify genes involved in this process and found that knocking down Histamine-gated chloride channel subunit 1 (HisCl1) in the sweet taste neurons significantly reduced gustatory habituation. Anatomical analysis showed that HisCl1 is expressed in the sweet taste neurons of various chemosensory organs. Using single sensilla electrophysiology, we showed that sweet taste neurons reduced their firing rate with prolonged exposure to sucrose. Knocking down HisCl1 in sweet taste neurons suppressed gustatory habituation by reducing the spike frequency adaptation observed in these neurons during high-concentration sucrose stimulation. Finally, we showed that flies lacking HisCl1 in sweet taste neurons increased their consumption of high-concentration sucrose solution at their first meal bout compared to control flies. Together, our results demonstrate that HisCl1 tunes spike frequency adaptation in sweet taste neurons and contributes to gustatory habituation and food intake regulation in flies. Since HisCl1 is highly conserved across many dipteran and hymenopteran species, our findings open a new direction in studying insect gustatory habituation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haein Kim
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ziqing Zhong
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Current address: Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Xinyue Cui
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Hayeon Sung
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Naman Agrawal
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Tianxing Jiang
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Monica Dus
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nilay Yapici
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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8
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Ott S, Xu S, Lee N, Hong I, Anns J, Suresh DD, Zhang Z, Zhang X, Harion R, Ye W, Chandramouli V, Jesuthasan S, Saheki Y, Claridge-Chang A. Kalium channelrhodopsins effectively inhibit neurons. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3480. [PMID: 38658537 PMCID: PMC11043423 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47203-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The analysis of neural circuits has been revolutionized by optogenetic methods. Light-gated chloride-conducting anion channelrhodopsins (ACRs)-recently emerged as powerful neuron inhibitors. For cells or sub-neuronal compartments with high intracellular chloride concentrations, however, a chloride conductance can have instead an activating effect. The recently discovered light-gated, potassium-conducting, kalium channelrhodopsins (KCRs) might serve as an alternative in these situations, with potentially broad application. As yet, KCRs have not been shown to confer potent inhibitory effects in small genetically tractable animals. Here, we evaluated the utility of KCRs to suppress behavior and inhibit neural activity in Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, and zebrafish. In direct comparisons with ACR1, a KCR1 variant with enhanced plasma-membrane trafficking displayed comparable potency, but with improved properties that include reduced toxicity and superior efficacy in putative high-chloride cells. This comparative analysis of behavioral inhibition between chloride- and potassium-selective silencing tools establishes KCRs as next-generation optogenetic inhibitors for in vivo circuit analysis in behaving animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Ott
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sangyu Xu
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nicole Lee
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ivan Hong
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jonathan Anns
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Danesha Devini Suresh
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xianyuan Zhang
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Raihanah Harion
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Weiying Ye
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vaishnavi Chandramouli
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Suresh Jesuthasan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yasunori Saheki
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Adam Claridge-Chang
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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9
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Sang J, Dhakal S, Shrestha B, Nath DK, Kim Y, Ganguly A, Montell C, Lee Y. A single pair of pharyngeal neurons functions as a commander to reject high salt in Drosophila melanogaster. eLife 2024; 12:RP93464. [PMID: 38573740 PMCID: PMC10994663 DOI: 10.7554/elife.93464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Salt (NaCl), is an essential nutrient for survival, while excessive salt can be detrimental. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, internal taste organs in the pharynx are critical gatekeepers impacting the decision to accept or reject a food. Currently, our understanding of the mechanism through which pharyngeal gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) sense high salt are rudimentary. Here, we found that a member of the ionotropic receptor family, Ir60b, is expressed exclusively in a pair of GRNs activated by high salt. Using a two-way choice assay (DrosoX) to measure ingestion volume, we demonstrate that IR60b and two co-receptors IR25a and IR76b are required to prevent high salt consumption. Mutants lacking external taste organs but retaining the internal taste organs in the pharynx exhibit much higher salt avoidance than flies with all taste organs but missing the three IRs. Our findings highlight the vital role for IRs in a pharyngeal GRN to control ingestion of high salt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiun Sang
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Subash Dhakal
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Bhanu Shrestha
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Nath
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Yunjung Kim
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Anindya Ganguly
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
| | - Craig Montell
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
| | - Youngseok Lee
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
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10
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Yu H, Song L, Duan X, Zhu D, Li N, Pan R, Xu R, Yu X, Ye F, Jiang X, Ye H, Pan Z, Wei S, Jiang Z. Optogenetics in taste research: A decade of enlightenment. Oral Dis 2024; 30:903-913. [PMID: 36620868 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The electrophysiological function of the tongue involves complicated activities in taste sense, producing the perceptions of salty, sweet, bitter, and sour. However, therapies and prevention of taste loss arising from dysfunction in electrophysiological activity require further fundamental research. Optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience and brought the study of sensory system to a higher level in taste. The year 2022 marks a decade of developments of optogenetics in taste since this technology was adopted from neuroscience and applied to the taste research. This review summarizes a decade of advances that define near-term translation with optogenetic tools, and newly-discovered mechanisms with the applications of these tools. The main limitations and opportunities for optogenetics in taste research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanshu Yu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luyao Song
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiangyao Duan
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danji Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, Cancer Centre of Zhejiang University, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, Cancer Centre of Zhejiang University, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Runxin Pan
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinying Yu
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fengkai Ye
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinrui Jiang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Han Ye
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zikang Pan
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sixing Wei
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiwei Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, Cancer Centre of Zhejiang University, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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11
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Gautham AK, Miner LE, Franco MN, Thornquist SC, Crickmore MA. Molecular control of temporal integration matches decision-making to motivational state. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.01.582988. [PMID: 38496671 PMCID: PMC10942309 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.01.582988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Motivations bias our responses to stimuli, producing behavioral outcomes that match our needs and goals. We describe a mechanism behind this phenomenon: adjusting the time over which stimulus-derived information is permitted to accumulate toward a decision. As a Drosophila copulation progresses, the male becomes less likely to continue mating through challenges. We show that a set of Copulation Decision Neurons (CDNs) flexibly integrates information about competing drives to mediate this decision. Early in mating, dopamine signaling restricts CDN integration time by potentiating CaMKII activation in response to stimulatory inputs, imposing a high threshold for changing behaviors. Later into mating, the timescale over which the CDNs integrate termination-promoting information expands, increasing the likelihood of switching behaviors. We suggest scalable windows of temporal integration at dedicated circuit nodes as a key but underappreciated variable in state-based decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya K. Gautham
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Lauren E. Miner
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Marco N. Franco
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | | | - Michael A. Crickmore
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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12
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Tao L, Ayembem D, Barranca VJ, Bhandawat V. Neurons underlying aggressive actions that are shared by both males and females in Drosophila. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582148. [PMID: 38464020 PMCID: PMC10925114 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Aggression involves both sexually monomorphic and dimorphic actions. How the brain implements these two types of actions is poorly understood. We found that a set of neurons, which we call CL062, previously shown to mediate male aggression also mediate female aggression. These neurons elicit aggression acutely and without the presence of a target. Although the same set of actions is elicited in males and females, the overall behavior is sexually dimorphic. The CL062 neurons do not express fruitless , a gene required for sexual dimorphism in flies, and expressed by most other neurons important for controlling fly aggression. Connectomic analysis suggests that these neurons have limited connections with fruitless expressing neurons that have been shown to be important for aggression, and signal to different descending neurons. Thus, CL062 is part of a monomorphic circuit for aggression that functions parallel to the known dimorphic circuits.
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13
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Zhao H, Jiang X, Ma M, Xing L, Ji X, Pan Y. A neural pathway for social modulation of spontaneous locomotor activity (SoMo-SLA) in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314393121. [PMID: 38394240 PMCID: PMC10907233 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314393121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Social enrichment or social isolation affects a range of innate behaviors, such as sex, aggression, and sleep, but whether there is a shared mechanism is not clear. Here, we report a neural mechanism underlying social modulation of spontaneous locomotor activity (SoMo-SLA), an internal-driven behavior indicative of internal states. We find that social enrichment specifically reduces spontaneous locomotor activity in male flies. We identify neuropeptides Diuretic hormone 44 (DH44) and Tachykinin (TK) to be up- and down-regulated by social enrichment and necessary for SoMo-SLA. We further demonstrate a sexually dimorphic neural circuit, in which the male-specific P1 neurons encoding internal states form positive feedback with interneurons coexpressing doublesex (dsx) and Tk to promote locomotion, while P1 neurons also form negative feedback with interneurons coexpressing dsx and DH44 to inhibit locomotion. These two opposing neuromodulatory recurrent circuits represent a potentially common mechanism that underlies the social regulation of multiple innate behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Xinyu Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Mingze Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Limin Xing
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Ji
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong226019, China
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14
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Sang J, Dhakal S, Shrestha B, Nath DK, Kim Y, Ganguly A, Montell C, Lee Y. A single pair of pharyngeal neurons functions as a commander to reject high salt in Drosophila melanogaster. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.17.562703. [PMID: 37904986 PMCID: PMC10614918 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.17.562703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Salt is an essential nutrient for survival, while excessive NaCl can be detrimental. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, internal taste organs in the pharynx are critical gatekeepers impacting the decision to accept or reject a food. Currently, our understanding of the mechanism through which pharyngeal gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) sense high salt are rudimentary. Here, we found that a member of the ionotropic receptor family, Ir60b, is expressed exclusively in a pair of GRNs activated by high salt. Using a two-way choice assay (DrosoX) to measure ingestion volume, we demonstrate that IR60b and two coreceptors IR25a and IR76b, are required to prevent high salt consumption. Mutants lacking external taste organs but retaining the internal taste organs in the pharynx exhibit much higher salt avoidance than flies with all taste organs but missing the three IRs. Our findings highlight the vital role for IRs in a pharyngeal GRN to control ingestion of high salt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiun Sang
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Subash Dhakal
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Bhanu Shrestha
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Nath
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunjung Kim
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Anindya Ganguly
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA United States
| | - Craig Montell
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA United States
| | - Youngseok Lee
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, 02707, Republic of Korea
- Lead Contract
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15
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Yadav RSP, Ansari F, Bera N, Kent C, Agrawal P. Lessons from lonely flies: Molecular and neuronal mechanisms underlying social isolation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 156:105504. [PMID: 38061597 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105504] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Animals respond to changes in the environment which affect their internal state by adapting their behaviors. Social isolation is a form of passive environmental stressor that alters behaviors across animal kingdom, including humans, rodents, and fruit flies. Social isolation is known to increase violence, disrupt sleep and increase depression leading to poor mental and physical health. Recent evidences from several model organisms suggest that social isolation leads to remodeling of the transcriptional and epigenetic landscape which alters behavioral outcomes. In this review, we explore how manipulating social experience of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster can shed light on molecular and neuronal mechanisms underlying isolation driven behaviors. We discuss the recent advances made using the powerful genetic toolkit and behavioral assays in Drosophila to uncover role of neuromodulators, sensory modalities, pheromones, neuronal circuits and molecular mechanisms in mediating social isolation. The insights gained from these studies could be crucial for developing effective therapeutic interventions in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sai Prathap Yadav
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Faizah Ansari
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Neha Bera
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India
| | - Clement Kent
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Pavan Agrawal
- Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka 576104, India.
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16
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Zhou F, Tichy AM, Imambocus BN, Sakharwade S, Rodriguez Jimenez FJ, González Martínez M, Jahan I, Habib M, Wilhelmy N, Burre V, Lömker T, Sauter K, Helfrich-Förster C, Pielage J, Grunwald Kadow IC, Janovjak H, Soba P. Optimized design and in vivo application of optogenetically functionalized Drosophila dopamine receptors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8434. [PMID: 38114457 PMCID: PMC10730509 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43970-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulatory signaling via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) plays a pivotal role in regulating neural network function and animal behavior. The recent development of optogenetic tools to induce G protein-mediated signaling provides the promise of acute and cell type-specific manipulation of neuromodulatory signals. However, designing and deploying optogenetically functionalized GPCRs (optoXRs) with accurate specificity and activity to mimic endogenous signaling in vivo remains challenging. Here we optimize the design of optoXRs by considering evolutionary conserved GPCR-G protein interactions and demonstrate the feasibility of this approach using two Drosophila Dopamine receptors (optoDopRs). These optoDopRs exhibit high signaling specificity and light sensitivity in vitro. In vivo, we show receptor and cell type-specific effects of dopaminergic signaling in various behaviors, including the ability of optoDopRs to rescue the loss of the endogenous receptors. This work demonstrates that optoXRs can enable optical control of neuromodulatory receptor-specific signaling in functional and behavioral studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangmin Zhou
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- LIMES Institute, Department of Molecular Brain Physiology and Behavior, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Str. 31, 53115, Bonn, Germany
- Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity laboratory, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra-Madelaine Tichy
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 3800, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia (EMBL Australia), Monash University, 3800, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bibi Nusreen Imambocus
- LIMES Institute, Department of Molecular Brain Physiology and Behavior, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Str. 31, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Shreyas Sakharwade
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- LIMES Institute, Department of Molecular Brain Physiology and Behavior, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Str. 31, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Francisco J Rodriguez Jimenez
- Institute of Physiology II, University Clinic Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany
- ZIEL-Institute of Life and Health, Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Marco González Martínez
- Institute of Physiology II, University Clinic Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ishrat Jahan
- Institute of Physiology II, University Clinic Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Margarita Habib
- Neurobiology and Genetics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nina Wilhelmy
- Division of Neurobiology and Zoology, RPTU University of Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Vanessa Burre
- Division of Neurobiology and Zoology, RPTU University of Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Tatjana Lömker
- Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity laboratory, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sauter
- Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity laboratory, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Jan Pielage
- Division of Neurobiology and Zoology, RPTU University of Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Ilona C Grunwald Kadow
- Institute of Physiology II, University Clinic Bonn (UKB), University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany
- ZIEL-Institute of Life and Health, Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Harald Janovjak
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, 3800, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia (EMBL Australia), Monash University, 3800, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, 5042, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Soba
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- LIMES Institute, Department of Molecular Brain Physiology and Behavior, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Str. 31, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
- Neuronal Patterning and Connectivity laboratory, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.
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17
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Yamanouchi HM, Kamikouchi A, Tanaka R. Protocol to investigate the neural basis for copulation posture of Drosophila using a closed-loop real-time optogenetic system. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102623. [PMID: 37788165 PMCID: PMC10551656 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102623] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In internal fertilization animals, maintaining a copulation posture facilitates the process of transporting gametes from male to female. Here, we present a protocol to investigate the neural basis for copulation posture of fruit flies using a closed-loop real-time optogenetic system. We describe steps for using deep learning analysis to enable optogenetic manipulation of neural activity only during copulation with high efficiency. This system can be applied to various animal behaviors other than copulation. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Yamanouchi et al. (2023).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayato M Yamanouchi
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan.
| | - Azusa Kamikouchi
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan; Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan; Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Ryoya Tanaka
- Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan; Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan.
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18
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Ahmed OM, Crocker A, Murthy M. Transcriptional profiling of Drosophila male-specific P1 (pC1) neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.07.566045. [PMID: 37986870 PMCID: PMC10659367 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.566045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
In Drosophila melanogaster, the P1 (pC1) cluster of male-specific neurons both integrates sensory cues and drives or modulates behavioral programs such as courtship, in addition to contributing to a social arousal state. The behavioral function of these neurons is linked to the genes they express, which underpin their capacity for synaptic signaling, neuromodulation, and physiology. Yet, P1 (pC1) neurons have not been fully characterized at the transcriptome level. Moreover, it is unknown how the molecular landscape of P1 (pC1) neurons acutely changes after flies engage in social behaviors, where baseline P1 (pC1) neural activity is expected to increase. To address these two gaps, we use single cell-type RNA sequencing to profile and compare the transcriptomes of P1 (pC1) neurons harvested from socially paired versus solitary male flies. Compared to control transcriptome datasets, we find that P1 (pC1) neurons are enriched in 2,665 genes, including those encoding receptors, neuropeptides, and cell-adhesion molecules (dprs/DIPs). Furthermore, courtship is characterized by changes in ~300 genes, including those previously implicated in regulating behavior (e.g. DopEcR, Octβ3R, Fife, kairos, rad). Finally, we identify a suite of genes that link conspecific courtship with the innate immune system. Together, these data serve as a molecular map for future studies of an important set of higher-order and sexually-dimorphic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama M Ahmed
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Amanda Crocker
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Mala Murthy
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
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19
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Cárdenas G, Ledentu V, Huix-Rotllant M, Olivucci M, Ferré N. Automatic Rhodopsin Modeling with Multiple Protonation Microstates. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:9365-9380. [PMID: 37877699 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c05413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Automatic Rhodopsin Modeling (ARM) is a simulation protocol providing QM/MM models of rhodopsins capable of reproducing experimental electronic absorption and emission trends. Currently, ARM is restricted to a single protonation microstate for each rhodopsin model. Herein, we incorporate an extension of the minimal electrostatic model (MEM) into the ARM protocol to account for all relevant protonation microstates at a given pH. The new ARM+MEM protocol determines the most important microstates contributing to the description of the absorption spectrum. As a test case, we have applied this methodology to simulate the pH-dependent absorption spectrum of a toy model, showing that the single-microstate picture breaks down at certain pH values. Subsequently, we applied ARM+MEM toAnabaenasensory rhodopsin, confirming an improved description of its absorption spectrum when the titration of several key residues is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Massimo Olivucci
- Department of Chemistry, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403, United States
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Nicolas Ferré
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, ICR, 13013 Marseille, France
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20
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Sten TH, Li R, Hollunder F, Eleazer S, Ruta V. Male-male interactions shape mate selection in Drosophila. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.03.565582. [PMID: 37961193 PMCID: PMC10635267 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.03.565582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Males of many species have evolved behavioral traits to both attract females and repel rivals. Here, we explore mate selection in Drosophila from both the male and female perspective to shed light on how these key components of sexual selection - female choice and male-male competition - work in concert to guide reproductive strategies. We find that male flies fend off competing suitors by interleaving their courtship of a female with aggressive wing flicks, which both repel competitors and generate a 'song' that obscures the female's auditory perception of other potential mates. Two higher-order circuit nodes - P1a and pC1x neurons - are coordinately recruited to allow males to flexibly interleave these agonistic actions with courtship displays, assuring they persistently pursue females until their rival falters. Together, our results suggest that female mating decisions are shaped by male-male interactions, underscoring how a male's ability to subvert his rivals is central to his reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Hindmarsh Sten
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Present address: Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Rufei Li
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Florian Hollunder
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shadé Eleazer
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vanessa Ruta
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior, The Rockefeller University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, USA
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21
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Sato K, Yamamoto D. Molecular and cellular origins of behavioral sex differences: a tiny little fly tells a lot. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1284367. [PMID: 37928065 PMCID: PMC10622783 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1284367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral sex differences primarily derive from the sexually dimorphic organization of neural circuits that direct the behavior. In Drosophila melanogaster, the sex-determination genes fruitless (fru) and doublesex (dsx) play pivotal roles in producing the sexual dimorphism of neural circuits for behavior. Here we examine three neural groups expressing fru and/or dsx, i.e., the P1 cluster, aSP-f and aSP-g cluster pairs and aDN cluster, in which causal relationships between the dimorphic behavior and dimorphic neural characteristics are best illustrated. aSP-f, aSP-g and aDN clusters represent examples where fru or dsx switches cell-autonomously their neurite structures between the female-type and male-type. Processed sensory inputs impinging on these neurons may result in outputs that encode different valences, which culminate in the execution of distinct behavior according to the sex. In contrast, the P1 cluster is male-specific as its female counterpart undergoes dsx-driven cell death, which lowers the threshold for the induction of male-specific behaviors. We propose that the products of fru and dsx genes, as terminal selectors in sexually dimorphic neuronal wiring, induce and maintain the sex-typical chromatin state at postembryonic stages, orchestrating the transcription of effector genes that shape single neuron structures and govern cell survival and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosei Sato
- Neuro-ICT Laboratory, Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kobe, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamamoto
- Neuro-ICT Laboratory, Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kobe, Japan
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22
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Roemschied FA, Pacheco DA, Aragon MJ, Ireland EC, Li X, Thieringer K, Pang R, Murthy M. Flexible circuit mechanisms for context-dependent song sequencing. Nature 2023; 622:794-801. [PMID: 37821705 PMCID: PMC10600009 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06632-1] [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: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Sequenced behaviours, including locomotion, reaching and vocalization, are patterned differently in different contexts, enabling animals to adjust to their environments. How contextual information shapes neural activity to flexibly alter the patterning of actions is not fully understood. Previous work has indicated that this could be achieved via parallel motor circuits, with differing sensitivities to context1,2. Here we demonstrate that a single pathway operates in two regimes dependent on recent sensory history. We leverage the Drosophila song production system3 to investigate the role of several neuron types4-7 in song patterning near versus far from the female fly. Male flies sing 'simple' trains of only one mode far from the female fly but complex song sequences comprising alternations between modes when near her. We find that ventral nerve cord (VNC) circuits are shaped by mutual inhibition and rebound excitability8 between nodes driving the two song modes. Brief sensory input to a direct brain-to-VNC excitatory pathway drives simple song far from the female, whereas prolonged input enables complex song production via simultaneous recruitment of functional disinhibition of VNC circuitry. Thus, female proximity unlocks motor circuit dynamics in the correct context. We construct a compact circuit model to demonstrate that the identified mechanisms suffice to replicate natural song dynamics. These results highlight how canonical circuit motifs8,9 can be combined to enable circuit flexibility required for dynamic communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic A Roemschied
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- European Neuroscience Institute, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Diego A Pacheco
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Max J Aragon
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Elise C Ireland
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Xinping Li
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Kyle Thieringer
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Rich Pang
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Mala Murthy
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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23
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Coleman RT, Morantte I, Koreman GT, Cheng ML, Ding Y, Ruta V. A modular circuit architecture coordinates the diversification of courtship strategies in Drosophila. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.16.558080. [PMID: 37745588 PMCID: PMC10516016 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.16.558080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Identifying a mate is a central imperative for males of most species but poses the challenge of distinguishing a suitable partner from an array of potential male competitors or females of related species. Mate recognition systems are thus subject to strong selective pressures, driving the rapid coevolution of female sensory cues and male sensory preferences. Here we leverage the rapid evolution of female pheromones across the Drosophila genus to gain insight into how males coordinately adapt their detection and interpretation of these chemical cues to hone their mating strategies. While in some Drosophila species females produce unique pheromones that act to attract and arouse their conspecific males, the pheromones of most species are sexually monomorphic such that females possess no distinguishing chemosensory signatures that males can use for mate recognition. By comparing several close and distantly-related Drosophila species, we reveal that D. yakuba males have evolved the distinct ability to use a sexually-monomorphic pheromone, 7-tricosene (7-T), as an excitatory cue to promote courtship, a sensory innovation that enables D. yakuba males to court in the dark thereby expanding their reproductive opportunities. To gain insight into the neural adaptations that enable 7-T to act as an excitatory cue, we compared the functional properties of two key nodes within the pheromone circuits of D. yakuba and a subset of its closest relatives. We show that the instructive role of 7-T in D. yakuba arises from concurrent peripheral and central circuit changes: a distinct subpopulation of sensory neurons has acquired sensitivity to 7-T which in turn selectively signals to a distinct subset of P1 neurons in the central brain that trigger courtship behaviors. Such a modular circuit organization, in which different sensory inputs can independently couple to multiple parallel courtship control nodes, may facilitate the evolution of mate recognition systems by allowing males to take advantage of novel sensory modalities to become aroused. Together, our findings suggest how peripheral and central circuit adaptations can be flexibly linked to underlie the rapid evolution of mate recognition and courtship strategies across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory T. Coleman
- Laboatory of Neurophysiology and Behavior and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Ianessa Morantte
- Laboatory of Neurophysiology and Behavior and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Gabriel T. Koreman
- Laboatory of Neurophysiology and Behavior and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Megan L. Cheng
- Laboatory of Neurophysiology and Behavior and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
| | - Yun Ding
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Vanessa Ruta
- Laboatory of Neurophysiology and Behavior and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY
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24
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Petsakou A, Liu Y, Liu Y, Comjean A, Hu Y, Perrimon N. Epithelial Ca 2+ waves triggered by enteric neurons heal the gut. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.14.553227. [PMID: 37645990 PMCID: PMC10461974 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.14.553227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
A fundamental and unresolved question in regenerative biology is how tissues return to homeostasis after injury. Answering this question is essential for understanding the etiology of chronic disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer. We used the Drosophila midgut to investigate this question and discovered that during regeneration a subpopulation of cholinergic enteric neurons triggers Ca2+ currents among enterocytes to promote return of the epithelium to homeostasis. Specifically, we found that down-regulation of the cholinergic enzyme Acetylcholinesterase in the epithelium enables acetylcholine from defined enteric neurons, referred as ARCENs, to activate nicotinic receptors in enterocytes found near ARCEN-innervations. This activation triggers high Ca2+ influx that spreads in the epithelium through Inx2/Inx7 gap junctions promoting enterocyte maturation followed by reduction of proliferation and inflammation. Disrupting this process causes chronic injury consisting of ion imbalance, Yki activation and increase of inflammatory cytokines together with hyperplasia, reminiscent of inflammatory bowel diseases. Altogether, we found that during gut regeneration the conserved cholinergic pathway facilitates epithelial Ca2+ waves that heal the intestinal epithelium. Our findings demonstrate nerve- and bioelectric-dependent intestinal regeneration which advance the current understanding of how a tissue returns to its homeostatic state after injury and could ultimately help existing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yifang Liu
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Aram Comjean
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, USA
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25
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Bonheur M, Swartz KJ, Metcalf MG, Wen X, Zhukovskaya A, Mehta A, Connors KE, Barasch JG, Jamieson AR, Martin KC, Axel R, Hattori D. A rapid and bidirectional reporter of neural activity reveals neural correlates of social behaviors in Drosophila. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:1295-1307. [PMID: 37308660 PMCID: PMC10866131 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01357-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Neural activity is modulated over different timescales encompassing subseconds to hours, reflecting changes in external environment, internal state and behavior. Using Drosophila as a model, we developed a rapid and bidirectional reporter that provides a cellular readout of recent neural activity. This reporter uses nuclear versus cytoplasmic distribution of CREB-regulated transcriptional co-activator (CRTC). Subcellular distribution of GFP-tagged CRTC (CRTC::GFP) bidirectionally changes on the order of minutes and reflects both increases and decreases in neural activity. We established an automated machine-learning-based routine for efficient quantification of reporter signal. Using this reporter, we demonstrate mating-evoked activation and inactivation of modulatory neurons. We further investigated the functional role of the master courtship regulator gene fruitless (fru) and show that fru is necessary to ensure activation of male arousal neurons by female cues. Together, our results establish CRTC::GFP as a bidirectional reporter of recent neural activity suitable for examining neural correlates in behavioral contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moise Bonheur
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kurtis J Swartz
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melissa G Metcalf
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xinke Wen
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Anna Zhukovskaya
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Avirut Mehta
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kristin E Connors
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Julia G Barasch
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew R Jamieson
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kelsey C Martin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Simons Foundation, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard Axel
- Department of Neuroscience, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daisuke Hattori
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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26
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Salim S, Hussain S, Banu A, Gowda SBM, Ahammad F, Alwa A, Pasha M, Mohammad F. The ortholog of human ssDNA-binding protein SSBP3 influences neurodevelopment and autism-like behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3002210. [PMID: 37486945 PMCID: PMC10399856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
1p32.3 microdeletion/duplication is implicated in many neurodevelopmental disorders-like phenotypes such as developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism, macro/microcephaly, and dysmorphic features. The 1p32.3 chromosomal region harbors several genes critical for development; however, their validation and characterization remain inadequate. One such gene is the single-stranded DNA-binding protein 3 (SSBP3) and its Drosophila melanogaster ortholog is called sequence-specific single-stranded DNA-binding protein (Ssdp). Here, we investigated consequences of Ssdp manipulations on neurodevelopment, gene expression, physiological function, and autism-associated behaviors using Drosophila models. We found that SSBP3 and Ssdp are expressed in excitatory neurons in the brain. Ssdp overexpression caused morphological alterations in Drosophila wing, mechanosensory bristles, and head. Ssdp manipulations also affected the neuropil brain volume and glial cell number in larvae and adult flies. Moreover, Ssdp overexpression led to differential changes in synaptic density in specific brain regions. We observed decreased levels of armadillo in the heads of Ssdp overexpressing flies, as well as a decrease in armadillo and wingless expression in the larval wing discs, implicating the involvement of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in Ssdp functionality. RNA sequencing revealed perturbation of oxidative stress-related pathways in heads of Ssdp overexpressing flies. Furthermore, Ssdp overexpressing brains showed enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS), altered neuronal mitochondrial morphology, and up-regulated fission and fusion genes. Flies with elevated levels of Ssdp exhibited heightened anxiety-like behavior, altered decisiveness, defective sensory perception and habituation, abnormal social interaction, and feeding defects, which were phenocopied in the pan-neuronal Ssdp knockdown flies, suggesting that Ssdp is dosage sensitive. Partial rescue of behavioral defects was observed upon normalization of Ssdp levels. Notably, Ssdp knockdown exclusively in adult flies did not produce behavioral and functional defects. Finally, we show that optogenetic manipulation of Ssdp-expressing neurons altered autism-associated behaviors. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that Ssdp, a dosage-sensitive gene in the 1p32.3 chromosomal region, is associated with various anatomical, physiological, and behavioral defects, which may be relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. Our study proposes SSBP3 as a critical gene in the 1p32.3 microdeletion/duplication genomic region and sheds light on the functional role of Ssdp in neurodevelopmental processes in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safa Salim
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Sadam Hussain
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayesha Banu
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Swetha B. M. Gowda
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Foysal Ahammad
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Amira Alwa
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Mujaheed Pasha
- HBKU Core Labs, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU): Doha, Qatar
| | - Farhan Mohammad
- Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS), College of Health & Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
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27
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Currier TA, Pang MM, Clandinin TR. Visual processing in the fly, from photoreceptors to behavior. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad064. [PMID: 37128740 PMCID: PMC10213501 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Originally a genetic model organism, the experimental use of Drosophila melanogaster has grown to include quantitative behavioral analyses, sophisticated perturbations of neuronal function, and detailed sensory physiology. A highlight of these developments can be seen in the context of vision, where pioneering studies have uncovered fundamental and generalizable principles of sensory processing. Here we begin with an overview of vision-guided behaviors and common methods for probing visual circuits. We then outline the anatomy and physiology of brain regions involved in visual processing, beginning at the sensory periphery and ending with descending motor control. Areas of focus include contrast and motion detection in the optic lobe, circuits for visual feature selectivity, computations in support of spatial navigation, and contextual associative learning. Finally, we look to the future of fly visual neuroscience and discuss promising topics for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A Currier
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michelle M Pang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thomas R Clandinin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Lockyer J, Reading A, Vicenzi S, Delandre C, Marshall O, Gasperini R, Foa L, Lin JY. Optogenetic inhibition of Gα signalling alters and regulates circuit functionality and early circuit formation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.06.539674. [PMID: 37214843 PMCID: PMC10197587 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.06.539674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetic techniques provide genetically targeted, spatially and temporally precise approaches to correlate cellular activities and physiological outcomes. In the nervous system, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have essential neuromodulatory functions through binding extracellular ligands to induce intracellular signaling cascades. In this work, we develop and validate a new optogenetic tool that disrupt Gαq signaling through membrane recruitment of a minimal Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) domain. This approach, Photo-induced Modulation of Gα protein - Inhibition of Gαq (PiGM-Iq), exhibited potent and selective inhibition of Gαq signaling. We alter the behavior of C. elegans and Drosophila with outcomes consistent with GPCR-Gαq disruption. PiGM-Iq also changes axon guidance in culture dorsal root ganglia neurons in response to serotonin. PiGM-Iq activation leads to developmental deficits in zebrafish embryos and larvae resulting in altered neuronal wiring and behavior. By altering the choice of minimal RGS domain, we also show that this approach is amenable to Gαi signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayde Lockyer
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Andrew Reading
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Silvia Vicenzi
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
- Current affiliation, Moores Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Division of Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Caroline Delandre
- Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Owen Marshall
- Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Robert Gasperini
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Lisa Foa
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - John Y. Lin
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
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29
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Shen P, Wan X, Wu F, Shi K, Li J, Gao H, Zhao L, Zhou C. Neural circuit mechanisms linking courtship and reward in Drosophila males. Curr Biol 2023; 33:2034-2050.e8. [PMID: 37160122 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.041] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Courtship has evolved to achieve reproductive success in animal species. However, whether courtship itself has a positive value remains unclear. In the present work, we report that courtship is innately rewarding and can induce the expression of appetitive short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) in Drosophila melanogaster males. Activation of male-specific P1 neurons is sufficient to mimic courtship-induced preference and memory performance. Surprisingly, P1 neurons functionally connect to a large proportion of dopaminergic neurons (DANs) in the protocerebral anterior medial (PAM) cluster. The acquisition of STM and LTM depends on two distinct subsets of PAM DANs that convey the courtship-reward signal to the restricted regions of the mushroom body (MB) γ and α/β lobes through two dopamine receptors, D1-like Dop1R1 and D2-like Dop2R. Furthermore, the retrieval of STM stored in the MB α'/β' lobes and LTM stored in the MB α/β lobe relies on two distinct MB output neurons. Finally, LTM consolidation requires two subsets of PAM DANs projecting to the MB α/β lobe and corresponding MB output neurons. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that courtship is a potent rewarding stimulus and reveal the underlying neural circuit mechanisms linking courtship and reward in Drosophila males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Xiaolu Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fengming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kai Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Hongjiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lilin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Chuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
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30
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Yu J, Guo X, Zheng S, Zhang W. A dedicate sensorimotor circuit enables fine texture discrimination by active touch. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010562. [PMID: 36649336 PMCID: PMC9882754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Active touch facilitates environments exploration by voluntary, self-generated movements. However, the neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor control for active touch are poorly understood. During foraging and feeding, Drosophila gather information on the properties of food (texture, hardness, taste) by constant probing with their proboscis. Here we identify a group of neurons (sd-L neurons) on the fly labellum that are mechanosensitive to labellum displacement and synapse onto the sugar-sensing neurons via axo-axonal synapses to induce preference to harder food. These neurons also feed onto the motor circuits that control proboscis extension and labellum spreading to provide on-line sensory feedback critical for controlling the probing processes, thus facilitating ingestion of less liquified food. Intriguingly, this preference was eliminated in mated female flies, reflecting an elevated need for softer food. Our results propose a sensorimotor circuit composed of mechanosensory, gustatory and motor neurons that enables the flies to select ripe yet not over-rotten food by active touch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yu
- School of Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Guo
- School of Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shen Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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31
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Realization of firefly bioluminescence cycle in vitro and in cells. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 220:114860. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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32
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Lillvis JL, Otsuna H, Ding X, Pisarev I, Kawase T, Colonell J, Rokicki K, Goina C, Gao R, Hu A, Wang K, Bogovic J, Milkie DE, Meienberg L, Mensh BD, Boyden ES, Saalfeld S, Tillberg PW, Dickson BJ. Rapid reconstruction of neural circuits using tissue expansion and light sheet microscopy. eLife 2022; 11:e81248. [PMID: 36286237 PMCID: PMC9651950 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain function is mediated by the physiological coordination of a vast, intricately connected network of molecular and cellular components. The physiological properties of neural network components can be quantified with high throughput. The ability to assess many animals per study has been critical in relating physiological properties to behavior. By contrast, the synaptic structure of neural circuits is presently quantifiable only with low throughput. This low throughput hampers efforts to understand how variations in network structure relate to variations in behavior. For neuroanatomical reconstruction, there is a methodological gulf between electron microscopic (EM) methods, which yield dense connectomes at considerable expense and low throughput, and light microscopic (LM) methods, which provide molecular and cell-type specificity at high throughput but without synaptic resolution. To bridge this gulf, we developed a high-throughput analysis pipeline and imaging protocol using tissue expansion and light sheet microscopy (ExLLSM) to rapidly reconstruct selected circuits across many animals with single-synapse resolution and molecular contrast. Using Drosophila to validate this approach, we demonstrate that it yields synaptic counts similar to those obtained by EM, enables synaptic connectivity to be compared across sex and experience, and can be used to correlate structural connectivity, functional connectivity, and behavior. This approach fills a critical methodological gap in studying variability in the structure and function of neural circuits across individuals within and between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L Lillvis
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Hideo Otsuna
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Xiaoyu Ding
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Igor Pisarev
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Takashi Kawase
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Jennifer Colonell
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Konrad Rokicki
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Cristian Goina
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Ruixuan Gao
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
- MIT McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of Illinois ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Amy Hu
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Kaiyu Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - John Bogovic
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Daniel E Milkie
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | | | - Brett D Mensh
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Edward S Boyden
- MIT McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchCambridgeUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteCambridgeUnited States
| | - Stephan Saalfeld
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Paul W Tillberg
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Barry J Dickson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of QueenslandSt LuciaAustralia
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33
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Ribeiro IMA, Eßbauer W, Kutlesa R, Borst A. Spatial and temporal control of expression with light-gated LOV-LexA. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6649684. [PMID: 35876796 PMCID: PMC9526042 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The ability to drive expression of exogenous genes in different tissues and cell types, under the control of specific enhancers, has been crucial for discovery in biology. While many enhancers drive expression broadly, several genetic tools were developed to obtain access to isolated cell types. Studies of spatially organized neuropiles in the central nervous system of fruit flies have raised the need for a system that targets subsets of cells within a single neuronal type, a feat currently dependent on stochastic flip-out methods. To access the same cells within a given expression pattern consistently across fruit flies, we developed the light-gated expression system LOV-LexA. We combined the bacterial LexA transcription factor with the plant-derived light, oxygen, or voltage photosensitive domain and a fluorescent protein. Exposure to blue light uncages a nuclear localizing signal in the C-terminal of the light, oxygen, or voltage domain and leads to the translocation of LOV-LexA to the nucleus, with the subsequent initiation of transcription. LOV-LexA enables spatial and temporal control of expression of transgenes under LexAop sequences in larval fat body and pupal and adult neurons with blue light. The LOV-LexA tool is ready to use with GAL4 and Split-GAL4 drivers in its current form and constitutes another layer of intersectional genetics that provides light-controlled genetic access to specific cells across flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês M A Ribeiro
- Department of Circuits-Computations-Models, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology , 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Eßbauer
- Department of Circuits-Computations-Models, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology , 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Romina Kutlesa
- Department of Circuits-Computations-Models, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology , 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Alexander Borst
- Department of Circuits-Computations-Models, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology , 82152 Martinsried, Germany
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34
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Ishii K, Cortese M, Leng X, Shokhirev MN, Asahina K. A neurogenetic mechanism of experience-dependent suppression of aggression. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabg3203. [PMID: 36070378 PMCID: PMC9451153 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg3203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aggression is an ethologically important social behavior, but excessive aggression can be detrimental to fitness. Social experiences among conspecific individuals reduce aggression in many species, the mechanism of which is largely unknown. We found that loss-of-function mutation of nervy (nvy), a Drosophila homolog of vertebrate myeloid translocation genes (MTGs), increased aggressiveness only in socially experienced flies and that this could be reversed by neuronal expression of human MTGs. A subpopulation of octopaminergic/tyraminergic neurons labeled by nvy was specifically required for such social experience-dependent suppression of aggression, in both males and females. Cell type-specific transcriptomic analysis of these neurons revealed aggression-controlling genes that are likely downstream of nvy. Our results illustrate both genetic and neuronal mechanisms by which the nervous system suppresses aggression in a social experience-dependent manner, a poorly understood process that is considered important for maintaining the fitness of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Ishii
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matteo Cortese
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xubo Leng
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maxim N. Shokhirev
- Razavi Newman Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kenta Asahina
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
- School of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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35
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Pyari G, Bansal H, Roy S. Ultra-low power deep sustained optogenetic excitation of human ventricular cardiomyocytes with red-shifted opsins: A computational study. J Physiol 2022; 600:4653-4676. [PMID: 36068951 DOI: 10.1113/jp283366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Formulation of accurate theoretical models of optogenetic control of HVCMs expressed with newly-discovered opsins (ChRmine, bReaChES, and CsChrimson). Under continuous illumination, action potentials in each opsin-expressing HVCMs can only be evoked in a certain range of irradiances. Action potentials in ChRmine-expressing HVCMs can be triggered at ultra-low power (6 μW/mm2 at 10 ms pulse or 0.7 μW/mm2 at 100 ms pulse at 585 nm), which is 2-3 orders of magnitude lower than reported results. Ongoing APs in ChRmine-expressing HVCMs can be suppressed by continuous illumination of 585 nm light at 2 μW/mm2 . ChRmine enables sustained excitation due to its faster recovery from the desensitized state. Optogenetic excitation of deeply situated cardiac cells is possible upto ∼ 7.46 mm and 10.2 mm with ChRmine on illuminating the outer surface of pericardium at safe irradiance at 585 nm and 650 nm, respectively. The study opens up prospects for designing energy-efficient light-induced pacemakers, resynchronization, and termination of ventricular tachycardia. ABSTRACT The main challenge in cardiac optogenetics is to have low-power, high-fidelity, and deep excitation of cells with minimal invasiveness and heating. We present a detailed computational study of optogenetic excitation of human ventricular cardiomyocytes (HVCMs) with new ChRmine, bReaChES and CsChrimson red-shifted opsins to overcome the challenge. Action potentials (APs) in ChRmine expressing HVCMs can be triggered at 6 μW/mm2 (10 ms pulse) and 0.7 μW/mm2 (100 ms pulse) at 585 nm which are two orders of magnitude lower than ChR2(H134R). This enables safe sustained excitation of deeply situated cardiac cells with ChRmine (7.46 mm) and with bReaChES (6.21 mm) with the light source at the pericardium surface. Deeper excitation upto 10.2 mm can be achieved with ChRmine by illuminating at 650 nm. Photostimulation conditions for minimum charge transfer during AP have been determined, which are important for tissue health under sustained excitation. The action potential duration for all the opsins is constant upto 100 ms pulse-width but increases thereafter. Interestingly, the AP frequency increases with irradiance under continuous illumination, which gets suppressed at higher irradiances. Optimal range of irradiance for each opsin to excite HVCMs has been determined. Under optimal photostimulation conditions, each opsin can precisely excite APs up to 2.5 Hz, while latency and power of light pulse for each AP in a sequence remain most stable and an order lower respectively, in ChRmine-expressing HVCMs. The study highlights the importance of ChRmine and bReaChES for resynchronization, termination of ventricular tachycardia, and designing optogenetic cardiac pacemakers with enhanced battery life. Abstract figure legend Deep optogenetic excitation of opsin-expressing cardiomyocytes by placing the light source (maximum output 5.5 mW/mm2 ) at the outer surface of the pericardium. Excitation of cardiomyocytes upto 10.2 mm (at 650 nm) and 7.46 mm (at 585 nm) is possible with ChRmine. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gur Pyari
- Department of Physics and Computer Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, 282005, INDIA
| | - Himanshu Bansal
- Department of Physics and Computer Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, 282005, INDIA
| | - Sukhdev Roy
- Department of Physics and Computer Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, 282005, INDIA
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36
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Ghosh AC, Hu Y, Tattikota SG, Liu Y, Comjean A, Perrimon N. Modeling exercise using optogenetically contractible Drosophila larvae. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:623. [PMID: 36042416 PMCID: PMC9425970 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08845-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiological effects of a number of metabolic and age-related disorders can be prevented to some extent by exercise and increased physical activity. However, the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the beneficial effects of muscle activity remain poorly explored. Availability of a fast, inexpensive, and genetically tractable model system for muscle activity and exercise will allow the rapid identification and characterization of molecular mechanisms that mediate the beneficial effects of exercise. Here, we report the development and characterization of an optogenetically-inducible muscle contraction (OMC) model in Drosophila larvae that we used to study acute exercise-like physiological responses. To characterize muscle-specific transcriptional responses to acute exercise, we performed bulk mRNA-sequencing, revealing striking similarities between acute exercise-induced genes in flies and those previously identified in humans. Our larval muscle contraction model opens a path for rapid identification and characterization of exercise-induced factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpan C Ghosh
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Yanhui Hu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Yifang Liu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aram Comjean
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
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37
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Flavell SW, Gogolla N, Lovett-Barron M, Zelikowsky M. The emergence and influence of internal states. Neuron 2022; 110:2545-2570. [PMID: 35643077 PMCID: PMC9391310 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Animal behavior is shaped by a variety of "internal states"-partially hidden variables that profoundly shape perception, cognition, and action. The neural basis of internal states, such as fear, arousal, hunger, motivation, aggression, and many others, is a prominent focus of research efforts across animal phyla. Internal states can be inferred from changes in behavior, physiology, and neural dynamics and are characterized by properties such as pleiotropy, persistence, scalability, generalizability, and valence. To date, it remains unclear how internal states and their properties are generated by nervous systems. Here, we review recent progress, which has been driven by advances in behavioral quantification, cellular manipulations, and neural population recordings. We synthesize research implicating defined subsets of state-inducing cell types, widespread changes in neural activity, and neuromodulation in the formation and updating of internal states. In addition to highlighting the significance of these findings, our review advocates for new approaches to clarify the underpinnings of internal brain states across the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven W Flavell
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Nadine Gogolla
- Emotion Research Department, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany; Circuits for Emotion Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Matthew Lovett-Barron
- Division of Biological Sciences-Neurobiology Section, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Moriel Zelikowsky
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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Sebesta C, Torres Hinojosa D, Wang B, Asfouri J, Li Z, Duret G, Jiang K, Xiao Z, Zhang L, Zhang Q, Colvin VL, Goetz SM, Peterchev AV, Dierick HA, Bao G, Robinson JT. Subsecond multichannel magnetic control of select neural circuits in freely moving flies. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:951-958. [PMID: 35761060 PMCID: PMC10965118 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01281-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Precisely timed activation of genetically targeted cells is a powerful tool for the study of neural circuits and control of cell-based therapies. Magnetic control of cell activity, or 'magnetogenetics', using magnetic nanoparticle heating of temperature-sensitive ion channels enables remote, non-invasive activation of neurons for deep-tissue applications and freely behaving animal studies. However, the in vivo response time of thermal magnetogenetics is currently tens of seconds, which prevents precise temporal modulation of neural activity. Moreover, magnetogenetics has yet to achieve in vivo multiplexed stimulation of different groups of neurons. Here we produce subsecond behavioural responses in Drosophila melanogaster by combining magnetic nanoparticles with a rate-sensitive thermoreceptor (TRPA1-A). Furthermore, by tuning magnetic nanoparticles to respond to different magnetic field strengths and frequencies, we achieve subsecond, multichannel stimulation. These results bring magnetogenetics closer to the temporal resolution and multiplexed stimulation possible with optogenetics while maintaining the minimal invasiveness and deep-tissue stimulation possible only by magnetic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Sebesta
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Boshuo Wang
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Asfouri
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhongxi Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Guillaume Duret
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kaiyi Jiang
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zhen Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Qingbo Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vicki L Colvin
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Stefan M Goetz
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Institute of Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Engineering, School of Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Angel V Peterchev
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Herman A Dierick
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gang Bao
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jacob T Robinson
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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Validation of an Optogenetic Approach to the Study of Olfactory Behavior in the T-Maze of Drosophila melanogaster Adults. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13080662. [PMID: 35893017 PMCID: PMC9330658 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) has been used as a model organism to study the olfactory system of insects thanks to the wide range of genetic tools available in this species. Among these tools, optogenetics allows the immediate alteration of the functioning of certain cells with light by the targeted expression of light receptor proteins in these cells. Thus, by successively expressing these receptors in different elements of the behavioral circuit, it is possible to evaluate their effect on the final behavior of the organism. However, the use of optogenetics to dissect the receptor elements of adult olfactory behavior presents a challenge because most odorants elicit gradual attraction or avoidance depending on their concentration, complicating the representative substitution of odor by light. In this work, we explore a dual excitation model in which the subject responds to various odorant concentrations while the olfactory receptor neurons are activated by light. The dose–response curve in these flies remains odorant concentration dependent, but with reduced sensitivity compared to olfactory stimulation alone. The existence of an effect associated with each of the two stimuli, odor and light, allows us to explore the quantitative contribution of the receptor elements to olfactory behavior also by optogenetics. Abstract Optogenetics enables the alteration of neural activity using genetically targeted expression of light activated proteins for studying behavioral circuits in several species including Drosophila. The main idea behind this approach is to replace the native behavioral stimulus by the light-induced electrical activation of different points of the circuit. Therefore, its effects on subsequent steps of the circuit or on the final behavior can be analyzed. However, the use of optogenetics to dissect the receptor elements of the adult olfactory behavior presents a challenge due to one additional factor: Most odorants elicit attraction or avoidance depending on their concentration; this complicates the representative replacement of odor activation of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) by light. Here, we explore a dual excitation model where the subject is responding to odors while the OSNs are optogenetically activated. Thereby, we can assess if and how the olfactory behavior is modified. We measure the effects of light excitation on the response to several odorant concentrations. The dose-response curve of these flies still depends on odor concentration but with reduced sensitivity compared to olfactory stimulation alone. These results are consistent with behavioral tests performed with a background odor and suggest an additive effect of light and odor excitation on OSNs.
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de Grip WJ, Ganapathy S. Rhodopsins: An Excitingly Versatile Protein Species for Research, Development and Creative Engineering. Front Chem 2022; 10:879609. [PMID: 35815212 PMCID: PMC9257189 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.879609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The first member and eponym of the rhodopsin family was identified in the 1930s as the visual pigment of the rod photoreceptor cell in the animal retina. It was found to be a membrane protein, owing its photosensitivity to the presence of a covalently bound chromophoric group. This group, derived from vitamin A, was appropriately dubbed retinal. In the 1970s a microbial counterpart of this species was discovered in an archaeon, being a membrane protein also harbouring retinal as a chromophore, and named bacteriorhodopsin. Since their discovery a photogenic panorama unfolded, where up to date new members and subspecies with a variety of light-driven functionality have been added to this family. The animal branch, meanwhile categorized as type-2 rhodopsins, turned out to form a large subclass in the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors and are essential to multiple elements of light-dependent animal sensory physiology. The microbial branch, the type-1 rhodopsins, largely function as light-driven ion pumps or channels, but also contain sensory-active and enzyme-sustaining subspecies. In this review we will follow the development of this exciting membrane protein panorama in a representative number of highlights and will present a prospect of their extraordinary future potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem J. de Grip
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Department of Biophysical Organic Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Srividya Ganapathy
- Department of Imaging Physics, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands
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41
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Neural Control of Action Selection Among Innate Behaviors. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:1541-1558. [PMID: 35633465 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00886-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nervous systems must not only generate specific adaptive behaviors, such as reproduction, aggression, feeding, and sleep, but also select a single behavior for execution at any given time, depending on both internal states and external environmental conditions. Despite their tremendous biological importance, the neural mechanisms of action selection remain poorly understood. In the past decade, studies in the model animal Drosophila melanogaster have demonstrated valuable neural mechanisms underlying action selection of innate behaviors. In this review, we summarize circuit mechanisms with a particular focus on a small number of sexually dimorphic neurons in controlling action selection among sex, fight, feeding, and sleep behaviors in both sexes of flies. We also discuss potentially conserved circuit configurations and neuromodulation of action selection in both the fly and mouse models, aiming to provide insights into action selection and the sexually dimorphic prioritization of innate behaviors.
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42
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Sorrells TR, Pandey A, Rosas-Villegas A, Vosshall LB. A persistent behavioral state enables sustained predation of humans by mosquitoes. eLife 2022; 11:e76663. [PMID: 35550041 PMCID: PMC9154740 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Predatory animals pursue prey in a noisy sensory landscape, deciding when to continue or abandon their chase. The mosquito Aedes aegypti is a micropredator that first detects humans at a distance through sensory cues such as carbon dioxide. As a mosquito nears its target, it senses more proximal cues such as body heat that guide it to a meal of blood. How long the search for blood continues after initial detection of a human is not known. Here, we show that a 5 s optogenetic pulse of fictive carbon dioxide induced a persistent behavioral state in female mosquitoes that lasted for more than 10 min. This state is highly specific to females searching for a blood meal and was not induced in recently blood-fed females or in males, who do not feed on blood. In males that lack the gene fruitless, which controls persistent social behaviors in other insects, fictive carbon dioxide induced a long-lasting behavior response resembling the predatory state of females. Finally, we show that the persistent state triggered by detection of fictive carbon dioxide enabled females to engorge on a blood meal mimic offered up to 14 min after the initial 5 s stimulus. Our results demonstrate that a persistent internal state allows female mosquitoes to integrate multiple human sensory cues over long timescales, an ability that is key to their success as an apex micropredator of humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor R Sorrells
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
- Kavli Neural Systems InstituteNew YorkUnited States
| | - Anjali Pandey
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Adriana Rosas-Villegas
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Leslie B Vosshall
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
- Kavli Neural Systems InstituteNew YorkUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteNew YorkUnited States
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43
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Haynes EM, Ulland TK, Eliceiri KW. A Model of Discovery: The Role of Imaging Established and Emerging Non-mammalian Models in Neuroscience. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:867010. [PMID: 35493325 PMCID: PMC9046975 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.867010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents have been the dominant animal models in neurobiology and neurological disease research over the past 60 years. The prevalent use of rats and mice in neuroscience research has been driven by several key attributes including their organ physiology being more similar to humans, the availability of a broad variety of behavioral tests and genetic tools, and widely accessible reagents. However, despite the many advances in understanding neurobiology that have been achieved using rodent models, there remain key limitations in the questions that can be addressed in these and other mammalian models. In particular, in vivo imaging in mammals at the cell-resolution level remains technically difficult and demands large investments in time and cost. The simpler nervous systems of many non-mammalian models allow for precise mapping of circuits and even the whole brain with impressive subcellular resolution. The types of non-mammalian neuroscience models available spans vertebrates and non-vertebrates, so that an appropriate model for most cell biological questions in neurodegenerative disease likely exists. A push to diversify the models used in neuroscience research could help address current gaps in knowledge, complement existing rodent-based bodies of work, and bring new insight into our understanding of human disease. Moreover, there are inherent aspects of many non-mammalian models such as lifespan and tissue transparency that can make them specifically advantageous for neuroscience studies. Crispr/Cas9 gene editing and decreased cost of genome sequencing combined with advances in optical microscopy enhances the utility of new animal models to address specific questions. This review seeks to synthesize current knowledge of established and emerging non-mammalian model organisms with advances in cellular-resolution in vivo imaging techniques to suggest new approaches to understand neurodegeneration and neurobiological processes. We will summarize current tools and in vivo imaging approaches at the single cell scale that could help lead to increased consideration of non-mammalian models in neuroscience research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M. Haynes
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, United States
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Tyler K. Ulland
- Department of Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Kevin W. Eliceiri
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, United States
- Center for Quantitative Cell Imaging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Dhakal S, Ren Q, Liu J, Akitake B, Tekin I, Montell C, Lee Y. Drosophila TRPg is required in neuroendocrine cells for post-ingestive food selection. eLife 2022; 11:56726. [PMID: 35416769 PMCID: PMC9068209 DOI: 10.7554/elife.56726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanism through which the brain senses the metabolic state, enabling an animal to regulate food consumption, and discriminate between nutritional and non-nutritional foods is a fundamental question. Flies choose the sweeter non-nutritive sugar, L-glucose, over the nutritive D-glucose if they are not starved. However, under starvation conditions, they switch their preference to D-glucose, and this occurs independent of peripheral taste neurons. Here, we found that eliminating the TRPγ channel impairs the ability of starved flies to choose D-glucose. This food selection depends on trpγ expression in neurosecretory cells in the brain that express Diuretic hormone 44 (DH44). Loss of trpγ increases feeding, alters the physiology of the crop, which is the fly stomach equivalent, and decreases intracellular sugars and glycogen levels. Moreover, survival of starved trpγ flies is reduced. Expression of trpγ in DH44 neurons reverses these deficits. These results highlight roles for TRPγ in coordinating feeding with the metabolic state through expression in DH44 neuroendocrine cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subash Dhakal
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Qiuting Ren
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Jiangqu Liu
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, United States
| | - Bradley Akitake
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, United States
| | - Izel Tekin
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, United States
| | - Craig Montell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, United States
| | - Youngseok Lee
- Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Recent Advances in Protein Caging Tools for Protein Photoactivation. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12083750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In biosciences and biotechnologies, it is recently critical to promote research regarding the regulation of the dynamic functions of proteins of interest. Light-induced control of protein activity is a strong tool for a wide variety of applications because light can be spatiotemporally irradiated in high resolutions. Therefore, synthetic, semi-synthetic, and genetic engineering techniques for photoactivation of proteins have been actively developed. In this review, the conventional approaches will be outlined. As a solution for overcoming barriers in conventional ones, our recent approaches in which proteins were chemically modified with biotinylated caging reagents are introduced to photo-activate a variety of proteins without genetic engineering and elaborate optimization. This review mainly focuses on protein caging and describes the concepts underlying the development of reported approaches that can contribute to the emergence of both novel protein photo-regulating methods and their killer applications.
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46
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Context-dependent control of behavior in Drosophila. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 73:102523. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Israel S, Rozenfeld E, Weber D, Huetteroth W, Parnas M. Olfactory stimuli and moonwalker SEZ neurons can drive backward locomotion in Drosophila. Curr Biol 2022; 32:1131-1149.e7. [PMID: 35139358 PMCID: PMC8926844 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
How different sensory stimuli are collected, processed, and further transformed into a coordinated motor response is a fundamental question in neuroscience. In particular, the internal and external conditions that drive animals to switch to backward walking and the mechanisms by which the nervous system supports such behavior are still unknown. In fruit flies, moonwalker descending neurons (MDNs) are considered command-type neurons for backward locomotion as they receive visual and mechanosensory inputs and transmit motor-related signals to downstream neurons to elicit backward locomotion. Whether other modalities converge onto MDNs, which central brain neurons activate MDNs, and whether other retreat-driving pathways exist is currently unknown. Here, we show that olfactory stimulation can elicit MDN-mediated backward locomotion. Moreover, we identify the moonwalker subesophageal zone neurons (MooSEZs), a pair of bilateral neurons, which can trigger straight and rotational backward locomotion. MooSEZs act via postsynaptic MDNs and via other descending neurons. Although they respond to olfactory input, they are not required for odor-induced backward walking. Thus, this work reveals an important modality input to MDNs, a novel set of neurons presynaptic to MDNs driving backward locomotion and an MDN-independent backward locomotion pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Israel
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Eyal Rozenfeld
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Denise Weber
- Institute for Biology, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolf Huetteroth
- Institute for Biology, University of Leipzig, Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Moshe Parnas
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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GABA transmission from mAL interneurons regulates aggression in Drosophila males. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2117101119. [PMID: 35082150 PMCID: PMC8812560 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117101119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggression is dependent on the sex of the conspecific in almost all animal species. But the neuronal basis of how sex-specific chemosensory signals regulate aggression is poorly understood. Using the fruit fly model of Drosophila melanogaster, we demonstrate that activation of a group of GABAergic central brain neurons, known to respond to sex-specific pheromonal stimuli, enhances aggression in dyadic male encounters. Inactivation of this neuronal group decreases aggression and increases the reciprocal social behavior of courtship. Our results can help trace the neural circuit from pheromone processing in the sensory neurons to behavior integration in the central brain and ultimately help understand how neurons encode the behavior of aggression. Aggression is known to be regulated by pheromonal information in many species. But how central brain neurons processing this information modulate aggression is poorly understood. Using the fruit fly model of Drosophila melanogaster, we systematically characterize the role of a group of sexually dimorphic GABAergic central brain neurons, popularly known as mAL, in aggression regulation. The mAL neurons are known to be activated by male and female pheromones. In this report, we show that mAL activation robustly increases aggression, whereas its inactivation decreases aggression and increases intermale courtship, a behavior considered reciprocal to aggression. GABA neurotransmission from mAL is crucial for this behavior regulation. Exploiting the genetic toolkit of the fruit fly model, we also find a small group of approximately three to five GABA+ central brain neurons with anatomical similarities to mAL. Activation of the mAL resembling group of neurons is necessary for increasing intermale aggression. Overall, our findings demonstrate how changes in activity of GABA+ central brain neurons processing pheromonal information, such as mAL in Drosophila melanogaster, directly modulate the social behavior of aggression in male–male pairings.
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Yao Z, Scott K. Serotonergic neurons translate taste detection into internal nutrient regulation. Neuron 2022; 110:1036-1050.e7. [PMID: 35051377 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The nervous and endocrine systems coordinately monitor and regulate nutrient availability to maintain energy homeostasis. Sensory detection of food regulates internal nutrient availability in a manner that anticipates food intake, but sensory pathways that promote anticipatory physiological changes remain unclear. Here, we identify serotonergic (5-HT) neurons as critical mediators that transform gustatory detection by sensory neurons into the activation of insulin-producing cells and enteric neurons in Drosophila. One class of 5-HT neurons responds to gustatory detection of sugars, excites insulin-producing cells, and limits consumption, suggesting that they anticipate increased nutrient levels and prevent overconsumption. A second class of 5-HT neurons responds to gustatory detection of bitter compounds and activates enteric neurons to promote gastric motility, likely to stimulate digestion and increase circulating nutrients upon food rejection. These studies demonstrate that 5-HT neurons relay acute gustatory detection to divergent pathways for longer-term stabilization of circulating nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zepeng Yao
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Kristin Scott
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Bansal A, Shikha S, Zhang Y. Towards translational optogenetics. Nat Biomed Eng 2022; 7:349-369. [PMID: 35027688 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00829-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics is widely used to interrogate the neural circuits underlying disease and has most recently been harnessed for therapeutic applications. The optogenetic toolkit consists of light-responsive proteins that modulate specific cellular functions, vectors for the delivery of the transgenes that encode the light-responsive proteins to targeted cellular populations, and devices for the delivery of light of suitable wavelengths at effective fluence rates. A refined toolkit with a focus towards translational uses would include efficient and safer viral and non-viral gene-delivery vectors, increasingly red-shifted photoresponsive proteins, nanomaterials that efficiently transduce near-infrared light deep into tissue, and wireless implantable light-delivery devices that allow for spatiotemporally precise interventions at clinically relevant tissue depths. In this Review, we examine the current optogenetics toolkit and the most notable preclinical and translational uses of optogenetics, and discuss future methodological and translational developments and bottlenecks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Bansal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Swati Shikha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore. .,NUS Suzhou Research Institute, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
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