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Deluca A, Bascom B, Key Planas DA, Kocher MA, Torres M, Arbeitman MN. Contribution of neurons that express fruitless and Clock transcription factors to behavioral rhythms and courtship. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.12.598537. [PMID: 38915619 PMCID: PMC11195222 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.12.598537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Animals need to integrate information across neuronal networks that direct reproductive behaviors and circadian rhythms. In Drosophila, the master regulatory transcription factors that direct courtship behaviors and circadian rhythms are co-expressed in a small set of neurons. In this study we investigate the role of these neurons in both males and females. We find sex-differences in the number of these fruitless and Clock -expressing neurons ( fru ∩ Clk neurons) that is regulated by male-specific Fru. We assign the fru ∩ Clk neurons to the electron microscopy connectome that provides high resolution structural information. We also discover sex-differences in the number of fru -expressing neurons that are post-synaptic targets of Clk -expressing neurons, with more post-synaptic targets in males. When fru ∩ Clk neurons are activated or silenced, males have a shorter period length. Activation of fru ∩ Clk neurons also changes the rate a courtship behavior is performed. We find that activation and silencing fru ∩ Clk neurons impacts the molecular clock in the sLNv master pacemaker neurons, in a cell-nonautonomous manner. These results reveal how neurons that subserve the two processes, reproduction and circadian rhythms, can impact behavioral outcomes in a sex-specific manner.
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2
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Braun J, Hurtak F, Wang-Chen S, Ramdya P. Descending networks transform command signals into population motor control. Nature 2024; 630:686-694. [PMID: 38839968 PMCID: PMC11186778 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07523-9] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
To convert intentions into actions, movement instructions must pass from the brain to downstream motor circuits through descending neurons (DNs). These include small sets of command-like neurons that are sufficient to drive behaviours1-the circuit mechanisms for which remain unclear. Here we show that command-like DNs in Drosophila directly recruit networks of additional DNs to orchestrate behaviours that require the active control of numerous body parts. Specifically, we found that command-like DNs previously thought to drive behaviours alone2-4 in fact co-activate larger populations of DNs. Connectome analyses and experimental manipulations revealed that this functional recruitment can be explained by direct excitatory connections between command-like DNs and networks of interconnected DNs in the brain. Descending population recruitment is necessary for behavioural control: DNs with many downstream descending partners require network co-activation to drive complete behaviours and drive only simple stereotyped movements in their absence. These DN networks reside within behaviour-specific clusters that inhibit one another. These results support a mechanism for command-like descending control in which behaviours are generated through the recruitment of increasingly large DN networks that compose behaviours by combining multiple motor subroutines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Braun
- Neuroengineering Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute & Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Femke Hurtak
- Neuroengineering Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute & Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sibo Wang-Chen
- Neuroengineering Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute & Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pavan Ramdya
- Neuroengineering Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute & Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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3
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Yoshikawa S, Tang P, Simpson JH. Mechanosensory and command contributions to the Drosophila grooming sequence. Curr Biol 2024; 34:2066-2076.e3. [PMID: 38657610 PMCID: PMC11179149 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.003] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Flies groom in response to competing mechanosensory cues in an anterior-to-posterior order using specific legs. From behavior screens, we identified a pair of cholinergic command-like neurons, Mago-no-Te (MGT), whose optogenetic activation elicits thoracic grooming by the back legs. Thoracic grooming is typically composed of body sweeps and leg rubs in alternation, but clonal analysis coupled with amputation experiments revealed that MGT activation only commands the body sweeps: initiation of leg rubbing requires contact between the leg and thorax. With new electron microscopy (EM) connectome data for the ventral nerve cord (VNC), we uncovered a circuit-based explanation for why stimulation of posterior thoracic mechanosensory bristles initiates cleaning by the back legs. Our previous work showed that flies weigh mechanosensory inputs across the body to select which part to groom, but we did not know why the thorax was always cleaned last. Here, the connectome for the VNC enabled us to identify a pair of GABAergic inhibitory neurons, UMGT1, that receives diverse sensory inputs and synapses onto both MGT and components of its downstream circuits. Optogenetic activation of UMGT1 suppresses thoracic cleaning, representing a mechanism by which mechanosensory stimuli on other body parts could take precedence in the grooming hierarchy. We also anatomically mapped the pre-motor circuit downstream of MGT, including inhibitory feedback connections that may enable rhythmicity and coordination of limb movement during thoracic grooming. The combination of behavioral screens and connectome analysis allowed us to identify a neural circuit connecting sensory-to-motor neurons that contributes to thoracic grooming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Yoshikawa
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Paul Tang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Julie H Simpson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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4
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Diao F, Vasudevan D, Heckscher ES, White BH. Hox gene-specific cellular targeting using split intein Trojan exons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2317083121. [PMID: 38602904 PMCID: PMC11047080 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2317083121] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The Trojan exon method, which makes use of intronically inserted T2A-Gal4 cassettes, has been widely used in Drosophila to create thousands of gene-specific Gal4 driver lines. These dual-purpose lines provide genetic access to specific cell types based on their expression of a native gene while simultaneously mutating one allele of the gene to enable loss-of-function analysis in homozygous animals. While this dual use is often an advantage, the truncation mutations produced by Trojan exons are sometimes deleterious in heterozygotes, perhaps by creating translation products with dominant negative effects. Such mutagenic effects can cause developmental lethality as has been observed with genes encoding essential transcription factors. Given the importance of transcription factors in specifying cell type, alternative techniques for generating specific Gal4 lines that target them are required. Here, we introduce a modified Trojan exon method that retains the targeting fidelity and plug-and-play modularity of the original method but mitigates its mutagenic effects by exploiting the self-splicing capabilities of split inteins. "Split Intein Trojan exons" (siTrojans) ensure that the two truncation products generated from the interrupted allele of the native gene are trans-spliced to create a full-length native protein. We demonstrate the efficacy of siTrojans by generating a comprehensive toolkit of Gal4 and Split Gal4 lines for the segmentally expressed Hox transcription factors and illustrate their use in neural circuit mapping by targeting neurons according to their position along the anterior-posterior axis. Both the method and the Hox gene-specific toolkit introduced here should be broadly useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengqiu Diao
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Section on Neural Function, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
| | - Deeptha Vasudevan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Ellie S. Heckscher
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL60637
| | - Benjamin H. White
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Section on Neural Function, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD20892
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5
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Brown EB, Zhang J, Lloyd E, Lanzon E, Botero V, Tomchik S, Keene AC. Neurofibromin 1 mediates sleep depth in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1011049. [PMID: 38091360 PMCID: PMC10763969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011049] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural regulation of sleep and metabolic homeostasis are critical in many aspects of human health. Despite extensive epidemiological evidence linking sleep dysregulation with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, little is known about the neural and molecular basis for the integration of sleep and metabolic function. The RAS GTPase-activating gene Neurofibromin (Nf1) has been implicated in the regulation of sleep and metabolic rate, raising the possibility that it serves to integrate these processes, but the effects on sleep consolidation and physiology remain poorly understood. A key hallmark of sleep depth in mammals and flies is a reduction in metabolic rate during sleep. Here, we examine multiple measures of sleep quality to determine the effects of Nf1 on sleep-dependent changes in arousal threshold and metabolic rate. Flies lacking Nf1 fail to suppress metabolic rate during sleep, raising the possibility that loss of Nf1 prevents flies from integrating sleep and metabolic state. Sleep of Nf1 mutant flies is fragmented with a reduced arousal threshold in Nf1 mutants, suggesting Nf1 flies fail to enter deep sleep. The effects of Nf1 on sleep can be localized to a subset of neurons expressing the GABAA receptor Rdl. Sleep loss has been associated with changes in gut homeostasis in flies and mammals. Selective knockdown of Nf1 in Rdl-expressing neurons within the nervous system increases gut permeability and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the gut, raising the possibility that loss of sleep quality contributes to gut dysregulation. Together, these findings suggest Nf1 acts in GABA-sensitive neurons to modulate sleep depth in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B. Brown
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jiwei Zhang
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Evan Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Lanzon
- Jupiter Life Science Initiative, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Seth Tomchik
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Alex C. Keene
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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6
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Ho KYL, An K, Carr RL, Dvoskin AD, Ou AYJ, Vogl W, Tanentzapf G. Maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell niche homeostasis requires gap junction-mediated calcium signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303018120. [PMID: 37903259 PMCID: PMC10636368 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303018120] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of stem cells requires coordination of the cells that make up the stem cell niche. Here, we describe a mechanism that allows communication between niche cells to coordinate their activity and shape the signaling environment surrounding resident stem cells. Using the Drosophila hematopoietic organ, the lymph gland, we show that cells of the hematopoietic niche, the posterior signaling center (PSC), communicate using gap junctions (GJs) and form a signaling network. This network allows PSC cells to exchange Ca2+ signals repetitively which regulate the hematopoietic niche. Disruption of Ca2+ signaling in the PSC or the GJ-mediated network connecting niche cells causes dysregulation of the PSC and blood progenitor differentiation. Analysis of PSC-derived cell signaling shows that the Hedgehog pathway acts downstream of GJ-mediated Ca2+ signaling to modulate the niche microenvironment. These data show that GJ-mediated communication between hematopoietic niche cells maintains their homeostasis and consequently controls blood progenitor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Y. L. Ho
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kevin An
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Rosalyn L. Carr
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BCV5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Alexandra D. Dvoskin
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Annie Y. J. Ou
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Wayne Vogl
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Guy Tanentzapf
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
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7
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Jovanoski KD, Duquenoy L, Mitchell J, Kapoor I, Treiber CD, Croset V, Dempsey G, Parepalli S, Cognigni P, Otto N, Felsenberg J, Waddell S. Dopaminergic systems create reward seeking despite adverse consequences. Nature 2023; 623:356-365. [PMID: 37880370 PMCID: PMC10632144 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06671-8] [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: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Resource-seeking behaviours are ordinarily constrained by physiological needs and threats of danger, and the loss of these controls is associated with pathological reward seeking1. Although dysfunction of the dopaminergic valuation system of the brain is known to contribute towards unconstrained reward seeking2,3, the underlying reasons for this behaviour are unclear. Here we describe dopaminergic neural mechanisms that produce reward seeking despite adverse consequences in Drosophila melanogaster. Odours paired with optogenetic activation of a defined subset of reward-encoding dopaminergic neurons become cues that starved flies seek while neglecting food and enduring electric shock punishment. Unconstrained seeking of reward is not observed after learning with sugar or synthetic engagement of other dopaminergic neuron populations. Antagonism between reward-encoding and punishment-encoding dopaminergic neurons accounts for the perseverance of reward seeking despite punishment, whereas synthetic engagement of the reward-encoding dopaminergic neurons also impairs the ordinary need-dependent dopaminergic valuation of available food. Connectome analyses reveal that the population of reward-encoding dopaminergic neurons receives highly heterogeneous input, consistent with parallel representation of diverse rewards, and recordings demonstrate state-specific gating and satiety-related signals. We propose that a similar dopaminergic valuation system dysfunction is likely to contribute to maladaptive seeking of rewards by mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucille Duquenoy
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jessica Mitchell
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ishaan Kapoor
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Vincent Croset
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK
| | - Georgia Dempsey
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sai Parepalli
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paola Cognigni
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Northern Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nils Otto
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische Wilhelms-University, Münster, Germany
| | - Johannes Felsenberg
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Scott Waddell
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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8
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Singh P, Aleman A, Omoto JJ, Nguyen BC, Kandimalla P, Hartenstein V, Donlea JM. Examining Sleep Modulation by Drosophila Ellipsoid Body Neurons. eNeuro 2023; 10:ENEURO.0281-23.2023. [PMID: 37679041 PMCID: PMC10523840 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0281-23.2023] [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: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent work in Drosophila has uncovered several neighboring classes of sleep-regulatory neurons within the central complex. However, the logic of connectivity and network motifs remains limited by the incomplete examination of relevant cell types. Using a recent genetic-anatomic classification of ellipsoid body ring neurons, we conducted a thermogenetic screen in female flies to assess sleep/wake behavior and identified two wake-promoting drivers that label ER3d neurons and two sleep-promoting drivers that express in ER3m cells. We then used intersectional genetics to refine driver expression patterns. Activation of ER3d cells shortened sleep bouts, suggesting a key role in sleep maintenance. While sleep-promoting drivers from our mini-screen label overlapping ER3m neurons, intersectional strategies cannot rule out sleep regulatory roles for additional neurons in their expression patterns. Suppressing GABA synthesis in ER3m neurons prevents postinjury sleep, and GABAergic ER3d cells are required for thermogenetically induced wakefulness. Finally, we use an activity-dependent fluorescent reporter for putative synaptic contacts to embed these neurons within the known sleep-regulatory network. ER3m and ER3d neurons may receive connections from wake-active Helicon/ExR1 cells, and ER3m neurons likely inhibit ER3d neurons. Together, these data suggest a neural mechanism by which previously uncharacterized circuit elements stabilize sleep-wake states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhjit Singh
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Abigail Aleman
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology Interdepartmental Program, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Jaison Jiro Omoto
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Bao-Chau Nguyen
- Department of Molecular, Cell, & Developmental Biology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Pratyush Kandimalla
- Department of Molecular, Cell, & Developmental Biology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Volker Hartenstein
- Department of Molecular, Cell, & Developmental Biology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Jeffrey M Donlea
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
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9
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Kim ES, Rajan A, Chang K, Govindarajan S, Gulick C, English E, Rodriguez B, Bloomfield O, Nakada S, Beard C, O’Connor S, Mastroianni S, Downey E, Feigenbaum M, Tolentino C, Pace A, Khan M, Moon S, DiPrima J, Syed A, Lin F, Abukhadra Y, Bacon I, Beckerle J, Cho S, Donkor NE, Garberg L, Harrington A, Hoang M, Lawani N, Noori A, Park E, Parsons E, Oravitan P, Chen M, Molina C, Richmond C, Reddi A, Huang J, Shugrue C, Coviello R, Unver S, Indelicarto M, Islamovic E, McIlroy R, Yang A, Hamad M, Griffin E, Ahmed Z, Alla A, Fitzgerald P, Choi A, Das T, Cheng Y, Yu J, Roderiques T, Lee E, Liu L, Harper J, Wang J, Suhr C, Tan M, Luque J, Tam AR, Chen E, Triff M, Zimmermann L, Zhang E, Wood J, Clark K, Kpodonu N, Dey A, Ecker A, Chuang M, López RKS, Sun H, Wei Z, Stone H, Chi CYJ, Silvestri A, Orloff P, Nedumaran N, Zou A, Ünver L, Page O, Kim M, Chan TYT, Tulloch A, Hernandez A, Pillai A, Chen C, Chowdhury N, Huang L, Mudide A, Paik G, Wingate A, Quinn L, Conybere C, Baumgardt LL, Buckley R, Kolberg Z, Pattison R, Shazli AA, Ganske P, Sfragara L, Strub A, Collier B, Tamana H, Ravindran D, Howden J, Stewart M, Shimizu S, Braniff J, Fong M, Gutman L, Irvine D, Malholtra S, Medina J, Park J, Yin A, Abromavage H, Barrett B, Chen J, Cho R, Dilatush M, Gaw G, Gu C, Huang J, Kilby H, Markel E, McClure K, Phillips W, Polaski B, Roselli A, Saint-Cyr S, Shin E, Tatum K, Tumpunyawat T, Wetherill L, Ptaszynska S, Zeleznik M, Pesendorfer A, Nolan A, Tao J, Sammeta D, Nicholson L, Dinh GV, Foltz M, Vo A, Ross M, Tokarski A, Hariharan S, Wang E, Baziuk M, Tay A, Wong YHM, Floyd J, Cui A, Pierre K, Coppisetti N, Kutam M, Khurjekar D, Gadzi A, Gubbay B, Pedretti S, Belovich S, Yeung T, Fey M, Shaffer L, Li A, Beritela G, Huyghue K, Foster G, Durso-Finley G, Thierfelder Q, Kiernan H, Lenkowsky A, Thomas T, Cheng N, Chao O, L’Etoile-Goga P, King A, McKinley P, Read N, Milberg D, Lin L, Wong M, Gilman I, Brown S, Chen L, Kosai J, Verbinsky M, Belshaw-Hood A, Lee H, Zhou C, Lobo M, Tse A, Tran K, Lewis K, Sonawane P, Ngo J, Zuzga S, Chow L, Huynh V, Yang W, Lim S, Stites B, Chang S, Cruz-Balleza R, Pelta M, Kujawski S, Yuan C, Standen-Bloom E, Witt O, Anders K, Duane A, Huynh N, Lester B, Fung-Lee S, Fung M, Situ M, Canigiula P, Dijkgraaf M, Romero W, Baula SK, Wong K, Xu I, Martinez B, Nuygen R, Norris L, Nijensohn N, Altman N, Maajid E, Burkhardt O, Chanda J, Doscher C, Gopal A, Good A, Good J, Herrera N, Lanting L, Liem S, Marks A, McLaughlin E, Lee A, Mohr C, Patton E, Pyarali N, Oczon C, Richards D, Good N, Goss S, Khan A, Madonia R, Mitchell V, Sun N, Vranka T, Garcia D, Arroyo F, Morales E, Camey S, Cano G, Bernabe A, Arroyo J, Lopez Y, Gonzalez E, Zumba B, Garcia J, Vargas E, Trinidad A, Candelaria N, Valdez V, Campuzano F, Pereznegron E, Medrano J, Gutierrez J, Gutierrez E, Abrego ET, Gutierrez D, Ortiz C, Barnes A, Arms E, Mitchell L, Balanzá C, Bradford J, Detroy H, Ferguson D, Guillermo E, Manapragada A, Nanula D, Serna B, Singh K, Sramaty E, Wells B, Wiggins M, Dowling M, Schmadeke G, Cafferky S, Good S, Reese M, Fleig M, Gannett A, Cain C, Lee M, Oberto P, Rinehart J, Pan E, Mathis SA, Joiner J, Barr L, Evans CJ, Baena-Lopez A, Beatty A, Collette J, Smullen R, Suttie J, Chisholm T, Rotondo C, Lewis G, Turner V, Stark L, Fox E, Amirapu A, Park S, Lantz N, Rankin AE, Kim SK, Kockel L. Generation of LexA enhancer-trap lines in Drosophila by an international scholastic network. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2023; 13:jkad124. [PMID: 37279923 PMCID: PMC10468311 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Conditional gene regulation in Drosophila through binary expression systems like the LexA-LexAop system provides a superb tool for investigating gene and tissue function. To increase the availability of defined LexA enhancer trap insertions, we present molecular, genetic, and tissue expression studies of 301 novel Stan-X LexA enhancer traps derived from mobilization of the index SX4 line. This includes insertions into distinct loci on the X, II, and III chromosomes that were not previously associated with enhancer traps or targeted LexA constructs, an insertion into ptc, and seventeen insertions into natural transposons. A subset of enhancer traps was expressed in CNS neurons known to produce and secrete insulin, an essential regulator of growth, development, and metabolism. Fly lines described here were generated and characterized through studies by students and teachers in an international network of genetics classes at public, independent high schools, and universities serving a diversity of students, including those underrepresented in science. Thus, a unique partnership between secondary schools and university-based programs has produced and characterized novel resources in Drosophila, establishing instructional paradigms devoted to unscripted experimental science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella S Kim
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Arjun Rajan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kathleen Chang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | | | - Eva English
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Sarah O’Connor
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | | | - Emma Downey
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | | | | | - Abigail Pace
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | - Marina Khan
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | - Soyoun Moon
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | - Jordan DiPrima
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | - Amber Syed
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | - Flora Lin
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sophia Cho
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mai Hoang
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Nosa Lawani
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Ayush Noori
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Euwie Park
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Adith Reddi
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Jason Huang
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | - Selma Unver
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | | | - Alana Yang
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Mahdi Hamad
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | - Zara Ahmed
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Asha Alla
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | - Audrey Choi
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Tanya Das
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | - Joshua Yu
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | - Ethan Lee
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | - Jason Wang
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Chris Suhr
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Max Tan
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | - Emma Chen
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Max Triff
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | - Eric Zhang
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Jackie Wood
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | - Nat Kpodonu
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Antar Dey
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | | | - Harry Sun
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Zijing Wei
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Henry Stone
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Leyla Ünver
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Oscair Page
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | - Minseo Kim
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lina Huang
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lily Quinn
- Haileybury School, Hertford SG13 7NU, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pia Ganske
- Haileybury School, Hertford SG13 7NU, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Julia Braniff
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Melanie Fong
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Lucy Gutman
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Danny Irvine
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Sahil Malholtra
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Jillian Medina
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - John Park
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Alicia Yin
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | | | - Breanna Barrett
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Jacqueline Chen
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Rachelle Cho
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Mac Dilatush
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Gabriel Gaw
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Caitlin Gu
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Jupiter Huang
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Houston Kilby
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Ethan Markel
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Katie McClure
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - William Phillips
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Benjamin Polaski
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Amelia Roselli
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Soleil Saint-Cyr
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Ellie Shin
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Kylan Tatum
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Tai Tumpunyawat
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Lucia Wetherill
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Sara Ptaszynska
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Maddie Zeleznik
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | | | - Anna Nolan
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Jeffrey Tao
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Divya Sammeta
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Laney Nicholson
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Giao Vu Dinh
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Merrin Foltz
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - An Vo
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Maggie Ross
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Andrew Tokarski
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Samika Hariharan
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Elaine Wang
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Martha Baziuk
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Ashley Tay
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | | | - Jax Floyd
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Aileen Cui
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Kieran Pierre
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Nikita Coppisetti
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Matthew Kutam
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Dhruv Khurjekar
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Anthony Gadzi
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Ben Gubbay
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Sophia Pedretti
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Sofiya Belovich
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Tiffany Yeung
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Mercy Fey
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Layla Shaffer
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Arthur Li
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | | | - Kyle Huyghue
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Greg Foster
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | | | - Quinn Thierfelder
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Holly Kiernan
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Andrew Lenkowsky
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Tesia Thomas
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Nicole Cheng
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Olivia Chao
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Pia L’Etoile-Goga
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Alexa King
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Paris McKinley
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Nicole Read
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - David Milberg
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Leila Lin
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Melinda Wong
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Io Gilman
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Samantha Brown
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Lila Chen
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Jordyn Kosai
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Mark Verbinsky
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | | | - Honon Lee
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Cathy Zhou
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Maya Lobo
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Asia Tse
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Kyle Tran
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Kira Lewis
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Pratmesh Sonawane
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Jonathan Ngo
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Sophia Zuzga
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Lillian Chow
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Vianne Huynh
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Wenyi Yang
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Samantha Lim
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Brandon Stites
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Shannon Chang
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | | | - Michaela Pelta
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Stella Kujawski
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Christopher Yuan
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | | | - Oliver Witt
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Karina Anders
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Audrey Duane
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Nancy Huynh
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Benjamin Lester
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Samantha Fung-Lee
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Melanie Fung
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Mandy Situ
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Paolo Canigiula
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Matijs Dijkgraaf
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Wilbert Romero
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Wong
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Ivana Xu
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | | | - Reena Nuygen
- Latin School of Chicago, 59 W North Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
| | - Lucy Norris
- Latin School of Chicago, 59 W North Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
| | - Noah Nijensohn
- Latin School of Chicago, 59 W North Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
| | - Naomi Altman
- Latin School of Chicago, 59 W North Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
| | - Elise Maajid
- Latin School of Chicago, 59 W North Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
| | | | | | | | - Alex Gopal
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | - Aaron Good
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | - Jonah Good
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | | | | | - Sophia Liem
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | - Anila Marks
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | | | - Audrey Lee
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | - Collin Mohr
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | - Emma Patton
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | | | | | | | - Nathan Good
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | | | - Adeeb Khan
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | | | | | - Natasha Sun
- Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, NM 87109, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bryan Zumba
- Pritzker College Prep, Chicago, IL 60639, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jake Bradford
- Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Khushi Singh
- Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
| | - Emily Sramaty
- Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
| | - Brian Wells
- Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
| | | | - Melissa Dowling
- Latin School of Chicago, 59 W North Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Cory Cain
- Pritzker College Prep, Chicago, IL 60639, USA
| | - Melody Lee
- Harvard-Westlake School, Los Angeles, CA 90077, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Leslie Barr
- Westtown School, West Chester, PA 19382, USA
| | - Cory J Evans
- Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
| | | | - Andrea Beatty
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | | | - Robert Smullen
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | - Jeanne Suttie
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Elizabeth Fox
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | - Anjana Amirapu
- Lowell High School, 1101 Eucalyptus Dr, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Sangbin Park
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nicole Lantz
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA
| | | | - Seung K Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lutz Kockel
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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10
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Rozich E, Randolph LK, Insolera R. An optimized temporally controlled Gal4 system in Drosophila reveals degeneration caused by adult-onset neuronal Vps13D knockdown. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1204068. [PMID: 37457002 PMCID: PMC10339317 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1204068] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the human gene VPS13D cause the adult-onset neurodegenerative disease ataxia. Our previous work showed that disruptions in the Vps13D gene in Drosophila neurons causes mitochondrial defects. However, developmental lethality caused by Vps13D loss limited our understanding of the long-term physiological effects of Vps13D perturbation in neurons. Here, we optimized a previously generated system to temporally knock down Vps13D expression precisely in adult Drosophila neurons using a modification to the Gal4/UAS system. Adult-onset activation of Gal4 was enacted using the chemically-inducible tool which fuses a destabilization-domain to the Gal4 repressor Gal80 (Gal80-DD). Optimization of the Gal80-DD tool shows that feeding animals the DD-stabilizing drug trimethoprim (TMP) during development and rearing at a reduced temperature maximally represses Gal4 activity. Temperature shift and removal of TMP from the food after eclosion robustly activates Gal4 expression in adult neurons. Using the optimized Gal80-DD system, we find that adult-onset Vps13D RNAi expression in neurons causes the accumulation of mitophagy intermediates, progressive deficits in locomotor activity, early lethality, and brain vacuolization characteristic of neurodegeneration. The development of this optimized system allows us to more precisely examine the degenerative phenotypes caused by Vps13D disruption, and can likely be utilized in the future for other genes associated with neurological diseases whose manipulation causes developmental lethality in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rozich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Lynsey K. Randolph
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Ryan Insolera
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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11
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Li K, Tsukasa Y, Kurio M, Maeta K, Tsumadori A, Baba S, Nishimura R, Murakami A, Onodera K, Morimoto T, Uemura T, Usui T. Belly roll, a GPI-anchored Ly6 protein, regulates Drosophila melanogaster escape behaviors by modulating the excitability of nociceptive peptidergic interneurons. eLife 2023; 12:83856. [PMID: 37309249 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Appropriate modulation of escape behaviors in response to potentially damaging stimuli is essential for survival. Although nociceptive circuitry has been studied, it is poorly understood how genetic contexts affect relevant escape responses. Using an unbiased genome-wide association analysis, we identified an Ly6/α-neurotoxin family protein, Belly roll (Bero), which negatively regulates Drosophila nociceptive escape behavior. We show that Bero is expressed in abdominal leucokinin-producing neurons (ABLK neurons) and bero knockdown in ABLK neurons resulted in enhanced escape behavior. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ABLK neurons responded to activation of nociceptors and initiated the behavior. Notably, bero knockdown reduced persistent neuronal activity and increased evoked nociceptive responses in ABLK neurons. Our findings reveal that Bero modulates an escape response by regulating distinct neuronal activities in ABLK neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Li
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuma Tsukasa
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Misato Kurio
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaho Maeta
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Shumpei Baba
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Risa Nishimura
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Koun Onodera
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takako Morimoto
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tadashi Uemura
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Research Center for Dynamic Living Systems, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tadao Usui
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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12
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Aymanns F, Chen CL, Ramdya P. Descending neuron population dynamics during odor-evoked and spontaneous limb-dependent behaviors. eLife 2022; 11:e81527. [PMID: 36286408 PMCID: PMC9605690 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering how the brain regulates motor circuits to control complex behaviors is an important, long-standing challenge in neuroscience. In the fly, Drosophila melanogaster, this is coordinated by a population of ~ 1100 descending neurons (DNs). Activating only a few DNs is known to be sufficient to drive complex behaviors like walking and grooming. However, what additional role the larger population of DNs plays during natural behaviors remains largely unknown. For example, they may modulate core behavioral commands or comprise parallel pathways that are engaged depending on sensory context. We evaluated these possibilities by recording populations of nearly 100 DNs in individual tethered flies while they generated limb-dependent behaviors, including walking and grooming. We found that the largest fraction of recorded DNs encode walking while fewer are active during head grooming and resting. A large fraction of walk-encoding DNs encode turning and far fewer weakly encode speed. Although odor context does not determine which behavior-encoding DNs are recruited, a few DNs encode odors rather than behaviors. Lastly, we illustrate how one can identify individual neurons from DN population recordings by using their spatial, functional, and morphological properties. These results set the stage for a comprehensive, population-level understanding of how the brain's descending signals regulate complex motor actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Aymanns
- Neuroengineering Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute & Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Chin-Lin Chen
- Neuroengineering Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute & Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Pavan Ramdya
- Neuroengineering Laboratory, Brain Mind Institute & Interfaculty Institute of Bioengineering, EPFLLausanneSwitzerland
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13
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Shinomiya K, Nern A, Meinertzhagen IA, Plaza SM, Reiser MB. Neuronal circuits integrating visual motion information in Drosophila melanogaster. Curr Biol 2022; 32:3529-3544.e2. [PMID: 35839763 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.06.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The detection of visual motion enables sophisticated animal navigation, and studies on flies have provided profound insights into the cellular and circuit bases of this neural computation. The fly's directionally selective T4 and T5 neurons encode ON and OFF motion, respectively. Their axons terminate in one of the four retinotopic layers in the lobula plate, where each layer encodes one of the four directions of motion. Although the input circuitry of the directionally selective neurons has been studied in detail, the synaptic connectivity of circuits integrating T4/T5 motion signals is largely unknown. Here, we report a 3D electron microscopy reconstruction, wherein we comprehensively identified T4/T5's synaptic partners in the lobula plate, revealing a diverse set of new cell types and attributing new connectivity patterns to the known cell types. Our reconstruction explains how the ON- and OFF-motion pathways converge. T4 and T5 cells that project to the same layer connect to common synaptic partners and comprise a core motif together with bilayer interneurons, detailing the circuit basis for computing motion opponency. We discovered pathways that likely encode new directions of motion by integrating vertical and horizontal motion signals from upstream T4/T5 neurons. Finally, we identify substantial projections into the lobula, extending the known motion pathways and suggesting that directionally selective signals shape feature detection there. The circuits we describe enrich the anatomical basis for experimental and computations analyses of motion vision and bring us closer to understanding complete sensory-motor pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Shinomiya
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
| | - Aljoscha Nern
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Ian A Meinertzhagen
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Stephen M Plaza
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA
| | - Michael B Reiser
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147, USA.
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14
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Guo L, Zhang N, Simpson JH. Descending neurons coordinate anterior grooming behavior in Drosophila. Curr Biol 2022; 32:823-833.e4. [PMID: 35120659 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.12.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The brain coordinates the movements that constitute behavior, but how descending neurons convey the myriad of commands required to activate the motor neurons of the limbs in the right order and combinations to produce those movements is not well understood. For anterior grooming behavior in the fly, we show that its component head sweeps and leg rubs can be initiated separately, or as a set, by different descending neurons. Head sweeps and leg rubs are mutually exclusive movements of the front legs that normally alternate, and we show that circuits in the ventral nerve cord as well as in the brain can resolve competing commands. Finally, the left and right legs must work together to remove debris. The coordination for leg rubs can be achieved by unilateral activation of a single descending neuron, while a similar manipulation of a different descending neuron decouples the legs to produce single-sided head sweeps. Taken together, these results demonstrate that distinct descending neurons orchestrate the complex alternation between the movements that make up anterior grooming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Neil Zhang
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Julie H Simpson
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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15
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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: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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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16
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Croteau-Chonka EC, Clayton MS, Venkatasubramanian L, Harris SN, Jones BMW, Narayan L, Winding M, Masson JB, Zlatic M, Klein KT. High-throughput automated methods for classical and operant conditioning of Drosophila larvae. eLife 2022; 11:70015. [PMID: 36305588 PMCID: PMC9678368 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Learning which stimuli (classical conditioning) or which actions (operant conditioning) predict rewards or punishments can improve chances of survival. However, the circuit mechanisms that underlie distinct types of associative learning are still not fully understood. Automated, high-throughput paradigms for studying different types of associative learning, combined with manipulation of specific neurons in freely behaving animals, can help advance this field. The Drosophila melanogaster larva is a tractable model system for studying the circuit basis of behaviour, but many forms of associative learning have not yet been demonstrated in this animal. Here, we developed a high-throughput (i.e. multi-larva) training system that combines real-time behaviour detection of freely moving larvae with targeted opto- and thermogenetic stimulation of tracked animals. Both stimuli are controlled in either open- or closed-loop, and delivered with high temporal and spatial precision. Using this tracker, we show for the first time that Drosophila larvae can perform classical conditioning with no overlap between sensory stimuli (i.e. trace conditioning). We also demonstrate that larvae are capable of operant conditioning by inducing a bend direction preference through optogenetic activation of reward-encoding serotonergic neurons. Our results extend the known associative learning capacities of Drosophila larvae. Our automated training rig will facilitate the study of many different forms of associative learning and the identification of the neural circuits that underpin them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise C Croteau-Chonka
- Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom,Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | | | | | | | | | - Lakshmi Narayan
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Michael Winding
- Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom,Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Jean-Baptiste Masson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States,Decision and Bayesian Computation, Neuroscience Department & Computational Biology Department, Institut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Marta Zlatic
- Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom,Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States,MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologyCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Kristina T Klein
- Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom,Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
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17
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Li Q, Jang H, Lim KY, Lessing A, Stavropoulos N. insomniac links the development and function of a sleep-regulatory circuit. eLife 2021; 10:65437. [PMID: 34908527 PMCID: PMC8758140 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although many genes are known to influence sleep, when and how they impact sleep-regulatory circuits remain ill-defined. Here, we show that insomniac (inc), a conserved adaptor for the autism-associated Cul3 ubiquitin ligase, acts in a restricted period of neuronal development to impact sleep in adult Drosophila. The loss of inc causes structural and functional alterations within the mushroom body (MB), a center for sensory integration, associative learning, and sleep regulation. In inc mutants, MB neurons are produced in excess, develop anatomical defects that impede circuit assembly, and are unable to promote sleep when activated in adulthood. Our findings link neurogenesis and postmitotic development of sleep-regulatory neurons to their adult function and suggest that developmental perturbations of circuits that couple sensory inputs and sleep may underlie sleep dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuling Li
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Hyunsoo Jang
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Kayla Y Lim
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Alexie Lessing
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Nicholas Stavropoulos
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- Waksman Institute, Rutgers UniversityPiscatawayUnited States
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18
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Sterne GR, Otsuna H, Dickson BJ, Scott K. Classification and genetic targeting of cell types in the primary taste and premotor center of the adult Drosophila brain. eLife 2021; 10:e71679. [PMID: 34473057 PMCID: PMC8445619 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits carry out complex computations that allow animals to evaluate food, select mates, move toward attractive stimuli, and move away from threats. In insects, the subesophageal zone (SEZ) is a brain region that receives gustatory, pheromonal, and mechanosensory inputs and contributes to the control of diverse behaviors, including feeding, grooming, and locomotion. Despite its importance in sensorimotor transformations, the study of SEZ circuits has been hindered by limited knowledge of the underlying diversity of SEZ neurons. Here, we generate a collection of split-GAL4 lines that provides precise genetic targeting of 138 different SEZ cell types in adult Drosophila melanogaster, comprising approximately one third of all SEZ neurons. We characterize the single-cell anatomy of these neurons and find that they cluster by morphology into six supergroups that organize the SEZ into discrete anatomical domains. We find that the majority of local SEZ interneurons are not classically polarized, suggesting rich local processing, whereas SEZ projection neurons tend to be classically polarized, conveying information to a limited number of higher brain regions. This study provides insight into the anatomical organization of the SEZ and generates resources that will facilitate further study of SEZ neurons and their contributions to sensory processing and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella R Sterne
- University of California BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Hideo Otsuna
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Barry J Dickson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of QueenslandQueenslandAustralia
| | - Kristin Scott
- University of California BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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19
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Botero V, Stanhope BA, Brown EB, Grenci EC, Boto T, Park SJ, King LB, Murphy KR, Colodner KJ, Walker JA, Keene AC, Ja WW, Tomchik SM. Neurofibromin regulates metabolic rate via neuronal mechanisms in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4285. [PMID: 34257279 PMCID: PMC8277851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24505-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a chronic multisystemic genetic disorder that results from loss of function in the neurofibromin protein. Neurofibromin may regulate metabolism, though the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we show that neurofibromin regulates metabolic homeostasis in Drosophila via a discrete neuronal circuit. Loss of neurofibromin increases metabolic rate via a Ras GAP-related domain-dependent mechanism, increases feeding homeostatically, and alters lipid stores and turnover kinetics. The increase in metabolic rate is independent of locomotor activity, and maps to a sparse subset of neurons. Stimulating these neurons increases metabolic rate, linking their dynamic activity state to metabolism over short time scales. Our results indicate that neurofibromin regulates metabolic rate via neuronal mechanisms, suggest that cellular and systemic metabolic alterations may represent a pathophysiological mechanism in neurofibromatosis type 1, and provide a platform for investigating the cellular role of neurofibromin in metabolic homeostasis. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in neurofibromin and associated with disruptions in physiology and behavior. Here the authors show that neurofibromin regulates metabolic homeostasis via a discrete brain circuit in a Drosophila model of NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Bethany A Stanhope
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth B Brown
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Eliza C Grenci
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Tamara Boto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA.,Department of Physiology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Scarlet J Park
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Lanikea B King
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Keith R Murphy
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Kenneth J Colodner
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, USA
| | - James A Walker
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alex C Keene
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - William W Ja
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Seth M Tomchik
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, USA.
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20
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Heredia F, Volonté Y, Pereirinha J, Fernandez-Acosta M, Casimiro AP, Belém CG, Viegas F, Tanaka K, Menezes J, Arana M, Cardoso GA, Macedo A, Kotowicz M, Prado Spalm FH, Dibo MJ, Monfardini RD, Torres TT, Mendes CS, Garelli A, Gontijo AM. The steroid-hormone ecdysone coordinates parallel pupariation neuromotor and morphogenetic subprograms via epidermis-to-neuron Dilp8-Lgr3 signal induction. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3328. [PMID: 34099654 PMCID: PMC8184853 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23218-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Innate behaviors consist of a succession of genetically-hardwired motor and physiological subprograms that can be coupled to drastic morphogenetic changes. How these integrative responses are orchestrated is not completely understood. Here, we provide insight into these mechanisms by studying pupariation, a multi-step innate behavior of Drosophila larvae that is critical for survival during metamorphosis. We find that the steroid-hormone ecdysone triggers parallel pupariation neuromotor and morphogenetic subprograms, which include the induction of the relaxin-peptide hormone, Dilp8, in the epidermis. Dilp8 acts on six Lgr3-positive thoracic interneurons to couple both subprograms in time and to instruct neuromotor subprogram switching during behavior. Our work reveals that interorgan feedback gates progression between subunits of an innate behavior and points to an ancestral neuromodulatory function of relaxin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Heredia
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Yanel Volonté
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- INIBIBB, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahia Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur - CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Joana Pereirinha
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Magdalena Fernandez-Acosta
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreia P Casimiro
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudia G Belém
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Filipe Viegas
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kohtaro Tanaka
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciências, Oeiras, Portugal
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Juliane Menezes
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maite Arana
- INIBIBB, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahia Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur - CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Gisele A Cardoso
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório de Genômica e Evolução de Artrópodes, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- CBMEG, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - André Macedo
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Malwina Kotowicz
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- DZNE, Helmholtz Association, Bonn, Germany
| | - Facundo H Prado Spalm
- INIBIBB, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahia Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur - CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Marcos J Dibo
- INIBIBB, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahia Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur - CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Raquel D Monfardini
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório de Genômica e Evolução de Artrópodes, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tatiana T Torres
- Laboratório de Genômica e Evolução de Artrópodes, Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - César S Mendes
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andres Garelli
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- INIBIBB, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahia Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur - CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
| | - Alisson M Gontijo
- CEDOC, Chronic Diseases Research Center, NOVA Medical School | Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Lisbon Campus, Rua do Instituto Bacteriológico 5, 1150-190, Lisbon, Portugal.
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21
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King LB, Boto T, Botero V, Aviles AM, Jomsky BM, Joseph C, Walker JA, Tomchik SM. Developmental loss of neurofibromin across distributed neuronal circuits drives excessive grooming in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008920. [PMID: 32697780 PMCID: PMC7398555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a monogenetic disorder that predisposes individuals to tumor formation and cognitive and behavioral symptoms. The neuronal circuitry and developmental events underlying these neurological symptoms are unknown. To better understand how mutations of the underlying gene (NF1) drive behavioral alterations, we have examined grooming in the Drosophila neurofibromatosis 1 model. Mutations of the fly NF1 ortholog drive excessive grooming, and increased grooming was observed in adults when Nf1 was knocked down during development. Furthermore, intact Nf1 Ras GAP-related domain signaling was required to maintain normal grooming. The requirement for Nf1 was distributed across neuronal circuits, which were additive when targeted in parallel, rather than mapping to discrete microcircuits. Overall, these data suggest that broadly-distributed alterations in neuronal function during development, requiring intact Ras signaling, drive key Nf1-mediated behavioral alterations. Thus, global developmental alterations in brain circuits/systems function may contribute to behavioral phenotypes in neurofibromatosis type 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanikea B. King
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Tamara Boto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ari M. Aviles
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Breanna M. Jomsky
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Chevara Joseph
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
- Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - James A. Walker
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Seth M. Tomchik
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
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22
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McKellar CE, Siwanowicz I, Dickson BJ, Simpson JH. Controlling motor neurons of every muscle for fly proboscis reaching. eLife 2020; 9:e54978. [PMID: 32584254 PMCID: PMC7316511 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the anatomy of all the primary motor neurons in the fly proboscis and characterize their contributions to its diverse reaching movements. Pairing this behavior with the wealth of Drosophila's genetic tools offers the possibility to study motor control at single-neuron resolution, and soon throughout entire circuits. As an entry to these circuits, we provide detailed anatomy of proboscis motor neurons, muscles, and joints. We create a collection of fly strains to individually manipulate every proboscis muscle through control of its motor neurons, the first such collection for an appendage. We generate a model of the action of each proboscis joint, and find that only a small number of motor neurons are needed to produce proboscis reaching. Comprehensive control of each motor element in this numerically simple system paves the way for future study of both reflexive and flexible movements of this appendage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire E McKellar
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
| | - Igor Siwanowicz
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Barry J Dickson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
- Queensland Brain Institute, University of QueenslandSt LuciaAustralia
| | - Julie H Simpson
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
- Dept. of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraUnited States
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23
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Chia J, Scott K. Activation of specific mushroom body output neurons inhibits proboscis extension and sucrose consumption. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0223034. [PMID: 31990947 PMCID: PMC6986700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to modify behavior based on prior experience is essential to an animal's survival. For example, animals may become attracted to a previously neutral odor or reject a previously appetitive food source based on previous encounters. In Drosophila, the mushroom bodies (MBs) are critical for olfactory associative learning and conditioned taste aversion, but how the output of the MBs affects specific behavioral responses is unresolved. In conditioned taste aversion, Drosophila shows a specific behavioral change upon learning: proboscis extension to sugar is reduced after a sugar stimulus is paired with an aversive stimulus. While studies have identified MB output neurons (MBONs) that drive approach or avoidance behavior, whether the same MBONs impact innate proboscis extension behavior is unknown. Here, we tested the role of MB pathways in altering proboscis extension and identified MBONs that synapse onto multiple MB compartments that upon activation significantly decreased proboscis extension to sugar. Activating several of these lines also decreased sugar consumption, revealing that these MBONs have a general role in modifying feeding behavior beyond proboscis extension. The MBONs that decreased proboscis extension and ingestion are different from those that drive avoidance behavior in another context. These studies provide insight into how activation of MB output neurons decreases proboscis extension to taste compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Chia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Kristin Scott
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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Kockel L, Griffin C, Ahmed Y, Fidelak L, Rajan A, Gould EP, Haigney M, Ralston B, Tercek RJ, Galligani L, Rao S, Huq L, Bhargava HK, Dooner AC, Lemmerman EG, Malusa RF, Nguyen TH, Chung JS, Gregory SM, Kuwana KM, Regenold JT, Wei A, Ashton J, Dickinson P, Martel K, Cai C, Chen C, Price S, Qiao J, Shepley D, Zhang J, Chalasani M, Nguyen K, Aalto A, Kim B, Tazawa-Goodchild E, Sherwood A, Rahman A, Wu SYC, Lotzkar J, Michaels S, Aristotle H, Clark A, Gasper G, Xiang E, Schlör FL, Lu M, Haering K, Friberg J, Kuwana A, Lee J, Liu A, Norton E, Hamad L, Lee C, Okeremi D, diTullio H, Dumoulin K, Chi SYG, Derossi GS, Horowitch RE, Issa EC, Le DT, Morales BC, Noori A, Shao J, Cho S, Hoang MN, Johnson IM, Lee KC, Lee M, Madamidola EA, Schmitt KE, Byan G, Park T, Chen J, Monovoukas A, Kang MJ, McGowan T, Walewski JJ, Simon B, Zu SJ, Miller GP, Fitzpatrick KB, Lantz N, Fox E, Collette J, Kurtz R, Duncan C, Palmer R, Rotondo C, Janicki E, Chisholm T, Rankin A, Park S, Kim SK. An Interscholastic Network To Generate LexA Enhancer Trap Lines in Drosophila. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2019; 9:2097-2106. [PMID: 31040111 PMCID: PMC6643891 DOI: 10.1534/g3.119.400105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Binary expression systems like the LexA-LexAop system provide a powerful experimental tool kit to study gene and tissue function in developmental biology, neurobiology, and physiology. However, the number of well-defined LexA enhancer trap insertions remains limited. In this study, we present the molecular characterization and initial tissue expression analysis of nearly 100 novel StanEx LexA enhancer traps, derived from the StanEx1 index line. This includes 76 insertions into novel, distinct gene loci not previously associated with enhancer traps or targeted LexA constructs. Additionally, our studies revealed evidence for selective transposase-dependent replacement of a previously-undetected KP element on chromosome III within the StanEx1 genetic background during hybrid dysgenesis, suggesting a molecular basis for the over-representation of LexA insertions at the NK7.1 locus in our screen. Production and characterization of novel fly lines were performed by students and teachers in experiment-based genetics classes within a geographically diverse network of public and independent high schools. Thus, unique partnerships between secondary schools and university-based programs have produced and characterized novel genetic and molecular resources in Drosophila for open-source distribution, and provide paradigms for development of science education through experience-based pedagogy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Kockel
- Dept. of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA 94305
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sagar Rao
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | - Lutfi Huq
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Connie Cai
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Evan Xiang
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | - Melissa Lu
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | | | | | | | - Alan Liu
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | | | - Clara Lee
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dan T Le
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | | | | | - Sophia Cho
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | | | | | - Maria Lee
- Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicole Lantz
- The Lawrenceville School, 2500 Main St, NJ 08648
| | | | | | - Richard Kurtz
- Commack High School, 1 Scholar Ln, Commack, NY 11725
| | - Chris Duncan
- Pritzker College Prep, 4131 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60639
| | - Ryan Palmer
- Pritzker College Prep, 4131 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60639
| | - Cheryl Rotondo
- Science Department, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | - Eric Janicki
- Science Department, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | | | - Anne Rankin
- Science Department, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH 03833
| | - Sangbin Park
- Dept. of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA 94305
| | - Seung K Kim
- Dept. of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA 94305
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
- Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford, CA 94305
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25
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Chen YJ, Chang HH, Lin SH, Lin TY, Wu TH, Lin HJ, Liou NF, Yang CJ, Chen YT, Chang KH, Li CY, Chou YH. Differential efficacy of genetically swapping GAL4. J Neurogenet 2019; 33:52-63. [PMID: 30939963 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2018.1564289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Several large or mid-scale collections of Drosophila enhancer traps have been recently created to allow for genetic swapping of GAL4 coding sequences to versatile transcription activators or suppressors such as LexA, QF, split-GAL4 (GAL4-AD and GAL4-DBD), GAL80 and QS. Yet a systematic analysis of the feasibility and reproducibility of these tools is lacking. Here we focused on InSITE GAL4 drivers that specifically label different subpopulations of olfactory neurons, particularly local interneurons (LNs), and genetically swapped the GAL4 domain for LexA, GAL80 or QF at the same locus. We found that the major utility-limiting factor for these genetic swaps is that many do not fully reproduce the original GAL4 expression patterns. Different donors exhibit distinct efficacies for reproducing original GAL4 expression patterns. The successfully swapped lines reported here will serve as valuable reagents and expand the genetic toolkits of Drosophila olfactory circuit research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Jun Chen
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Hao-Hsin Chang
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Shih-Han Lin
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Tzi-Yang Lin
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Ting-Han Wu
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Hsin-Ju Lin
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Nan-Fu Liou
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Chi-Jen Yang
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Yuh-Tarng Chen
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Kai Hsiang Chang
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Cen-You Li
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
| | - Ya-Hui Chou
- a Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC.,b Neuroscience Program of Academia Sinica , Taipei , Taiwan , ROC
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26
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Álvarez-Salvado E, Licata AM, Connor EG, McHugh MK, King BMN, Stavropoulos N, Victor JD, Crimaldi JP, Nagel KI. Elementary sensory-motor transformations underlying olfactory navigation in walking fruit-flies. eLife 2018; 7:e37815. [PMID: 30129438 PMCID: PMC6103744 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Odor attraction in walking Drosophila melanogaster is commonly used to relate neural function to behavior, but the algorithms underlying attraction are unclear. Here, we develop a high-throughput assay to measure olfactory behavior in response to well-controlled sensory stimuli. We show that odor evokes two behaviors: an upwind run during odor (ON response), and a local search at odor offset (OFF response). Wind orientation requires antennal mechanoreceptors, but search is driven solely by odor. Using dynamic odor stimuli, we measure the dependence of these two behaviors on odor intensity and history. Based on these data, we develop a navigation model that recapitulates the behavior of flies in our apparatus, and generates realistic trajectories when run in a turbulent boundary layer plume. The ability to parse olfactory navigation into quantifiable elementary sensori-motor transformations provides a foundation for dissecting neural circuits that govern olfactory behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrén Álvarez-Salvado
- Neuroscience InstituteNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Angela M Licata
- Neuroscience InstituteNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Erin G Connor
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderUnited States
| | - Margaret K McHugh
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderUnited States
| | - Benjamin MN King
- Neuroscience InstituteNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Nicholas Stavropoulos
- Neuroscience InstituteNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Jonathan D Victor
- Institute for Computational BiomedicineWeill Cornell Medical CollegeNew YorkUnited States
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research InstituteWeill Cornell Medical CollegeNew YorkUnited States
| | - John P Crimaldi
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural EngineeringUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderUnited States
| | - Katherine I Nagel
- Neuroscience InstituteNew York University Langone Medical CenterNew YorkUnited States
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27
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Namiki S, Dickinson MH, Wong AM, Korff W, Card GM. The functional organization of descending sensory-motor pathways in Drosophila. eLife 2018; 7:e34272. [PMID: 29943730 PMCID: PMC6019073 DOI: 10.7554/elife.34272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In most animals, the brain controls the body via a set of descending neurons (DNs) that traverse the neck. DN activity activates, maintains or modulates locomotion and other behaviors. Individual DNs have been well-studied in species from insects to primates, but little is known about overall connectivity patterns across the DN population. We systematically investigated DN anatomy in Drosophila melanogaster and created over 100 transgenic lines targeting individual cell types. We identified roughly half of all Drosophila DNs and comprehensively map connectivity between sensory and motor neuropils in the brain and nerve cord, respectively. We find the nerve cord is a layered system of neuropils reflecting the fly's capability for two largely independent means of locomotion -- walking and flight -- using distinct sets of appendages. Our results reveal the basic functional map of descending pathways in flies and provide tools for systematic interrogation of neural circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigehiro Namiki
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Michael H Dickinson
- Division of Biology and BioengineeringCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Allan M Wong
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Wyatt Korff
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
| | - Gwyneth M Card
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical InstituteAshburnUnited States
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28
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Jois S, Chan YB, Fernandez MP, Leung AKW. Characterization of the Sexually Dimorphic fruitless Neurons That Regulate Copulation Duration. Front Physiol 2018; 9:780. [PMID: 29988589 PMCID: PMC6026680 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Male courtship in Drosophila melanogaster is a sexually dimorphic innate behavior that is hardwired in the nervous system. Understanding the neural mechanism of courtship behavior requires the anatomical and functional characterization of all the neurons involved. Courtship involves a series of distinctive behavioral patterns, culminating in the final copulation step, where sperms from the male are transferred to the female. The duration of this process is tightly controlled by multiple genes. The fruitless (fru) gene is one of the factors that regulate the duration of copulation. Using several intersectional genetic combinations to restrict the labeling of GAL4 lines, we found that a subset of a serotonergic cluster of fru neurons co-express the dopamine-synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase, and provide behavioral and immunological evidence that these neurons are involved in the regulation of copulation duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyas Jois
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Yick Bun Chan
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maria Paz Fernandez
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Adelaine Kwun-Wai Leung
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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29
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Abstract
The ability to reproducibly target expression of transgenes to small, defined subsets of cells is a key experimental tool for understanding many biological processes. The Drosophila nervous system contains thousands of distinct cell types and it has generally not been possible to limit expression to one or a few cell types when using a single segment of genomic DNA as an enhancer to drive expression. Intersectional methods, in which expression of the transgene only occurs where two different enhancers overlap in their expression patterns, can be used to achieve the desired specificity. This report describes a set of over 2800 transgenic lines for use with the split-GAL4 intersectional method.
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30
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Facilitating Neuron-Specific Genetic Manipulations in Drosophila melanogaster Using a Split GAL4 Repressor. Genetics 2017; 206:775-784. [PMID: 28363977 PMCID: PMC5499185 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.199687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to map neural circuits have been galvanized by the development of genetic technologies that permit the manipulation of targeted sets of neurons in the brains of freely behaving animals. The success of these efforts relies on the experimenter’s ability to target arbitrarily small subsets of neurons for manipulation, but such specificity of targeting cannot routinely be achieved using existing methods. In Drosophila melanogaster, a widely-used technique for refined cell type-specific manipulation is the Split GAL4 system, which augments the targeting specificity of the binary GAL4-UAS (Upstream Activating Sequence) system by making GAL4 transcriptional activity contingent upon two enhancers, rather than one. To permit more refined targeting, we introduce here the “Killer Zipper” (KZip+), a suppressor that makes Split GAL4 targeting contingent upon a third enhancer. KZip+ acts by disrupting both the formation and activity of Split GAL4 heterodimers, and we show how this added layer of control can be used to selectively remove unwanted cells from a Split GAL4 expression pattern or to subtract neurons of interest from a pattern to determine their requirement in generating a given phenotype. To facilitate application of the KZip+ technology, we have developed a versatile set of LexAop-KZip+ fly lines that can be used directly with the large number of LexA driver lines with known expression patterns. KZip+ significantly sharpens the precision of neuronal genetic control available in Drosophila and may be extended to other organisms where Split GAL4-like systems are used.
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31
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Pankova K, Borst A. Transgenic line for the identification of cholinergic release sites in Drosophila melanogaster. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 220:1405-1410. [PMID: 28167805 PMCID: PMC5413067 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.149369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The identification of neurotransmitter type used by a neuron is important for the functional dissection of neuronal circuits. In the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, several methods for discerning the neurotransmitter systems are available. Here, we expanded the toolbox for the identification of cholinergic neurons by generating a new line FRT-STOP-FRT-VAChT::HA that is a conditional tagged knock-in of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene in its endogenous locus. Importantly, in comparison to already available tools for the detection of cholinergic neurons, the FRT-STOP-FRT-VAChT::HA allele also allows for identification of the subcellular localization of the cholinergic presynaptic release sites in a cell-specific manner. We used the newly generated FRT-STOP-FRT-VAChT::HA line to characterize the Mi1 and Tm3 neurons in the fly visual system and found that VAChT is present in the axons of both cell types, suggesting that Mi1 and Tm3 neurons provide cholinergic input to the elementary motion detectors, the T4 neurons. Summary: A new transgenic Drosophila melanogaster line for the cell-type-specific identification of cholinergic release sites expands the available methods toolbox for discerning the neurotransmitter systems in the fly nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Pankova
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Martinsried, Germany .,Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, LMU Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Borst
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
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32
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O'Connor-Giles KM, Zhang B, Simpson JH, Wu CF. The neurogenetics of Drosophila: the Ganetzky legacy. J Neurogenet 2016; 30:149-151. [PMID: 27868460 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2016.1254629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate M O'Connor-Giles
- a Guest Editor, Laboratories of Genetics & Cell and Molecular Biology , University of Wisconsin-Madison , Madison , WI , USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- b Guest Editor, Division of Biological Sciences , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA
| | - Julie H Simpson
- c Guest Editor, Department Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology , University of California , Santa Barbara , CA , USA
| | - Chun-Fang Wu
- d Editor-in-Chief, Department of Biology , University of Iowa , Iowa City , IA , USA
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