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Hérault C, Pihl T, Hudry B. Cellular sex throughout the organism underlies somatic sexual differentiation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6925. [PMID: 39138201 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51228-6] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex chromosomes underlie the development of male or female sex organs across species. While systemic signals derived from sex organs prominently contribute to sex-linked differences, it is unclear whether the intrinsic presence of sex chromosomes in somatic tissues has a specific function. Here, we use genetic tools to show that cellular sex is crucial for sexual differentiation throughout the body in Drosophila melanogaster. We reveal that every somatic cell converts the intrinsic presence of sex chromosomes into the active production of a sex determinant, a female specific serine- and arginine-rich (SR) splicing factor. This discovery dismisses the mosaic model which posits that only a subset of cells has the potential to sexually differentiate. Using cell-specific sex reversals, we show that this prevalence of cellular sex drives sex differences in organ size and body weight and is essential for fecundity. These findings demonstrate that cellular sex drives differentiation programs at an organismal scale and highlight the importance of cellular sex pathways in sex trait evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Hérault
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Thomas Pihl
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Bruno Hudry
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Inserm, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Nice, France.
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2
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Roggenbuck EC, Hall EA, Hanson IB, Roby AA, Zhang KK, Alkatib KA, Carter JA, Clewner JE, Gelfius AL, Gong S, Gordon FR, Iseler JN, Kotapati S, Li M, Maysun A, McCormick EO, Rastogi G, Sengupta S, Uzoma CU, Wolkov MA, Clowney EJ. Let's talk about sex: Mechanisms of neural sexual differentiation in Bilateria. WIREs Mech Dis 2024; 16:e1636. [PMID: 38185860 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
In multicellular organisms, sexed gonads have evolved that facilitate release of sperm versus eggs, and bilaterian animals purposefully combine their gametes via mating behaviors. Distinct neural circuits have evolved that control these physically different mating events for animals producing eggs from ovaries versus sperm from testis. In this review, we will describe the developmental mechanisms that sexually differentiate neural circuits across three major clades of bilaterian animals-Ecdysozoa, Deuterosomia, and Lophotrochozoa. While many of the mechanisms inducing somatic and neuronal sex differentiation across these diverse organisms are clade-specific rather than evolutionarily conserved, we develop a common framework for considering the developmental logic of these events and the types of neuronal differences that produce sex-differentiated behaviors. This article is categorized under: Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Neurological Diseases > Stem Cells and Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Roggenbuck
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Elijah A Hall
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Isabel B Hanson
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alyssa A Roby
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Katherine K Zhang
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kyle A Alkatib
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Joseph A Carter
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jarred E Clewner
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anna L Gelfius
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shiyuan Gong
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Finley R Gordon
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jolene N Iseler
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Samhita Kotapati
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Marilyn Li
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Areeba Maysun
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Elise O McCormick
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Geetanjali Rastogi
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Srijani Sengupta
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Chantal U Uzoma
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Madison A Wolkov
- MCDB 464 - Cellular Diversity: Sex Differentiation of the Brain, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - E Josephine Clowney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute Affiliate, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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3
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Zhao H, Jiang X, Ma M, Xing L, Ji X, Pan Y. A neural pathway for social modulation of spontaneous locomotor activity (SoMo-SLA) in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2314393121. [PMID: 38394240 PMCID: PMC10907233 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314393121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Social enrichment or social isolation affects a range of innate behaviors, such as sex, aggression, and sleep, but whether there is a shared mechanism is not clear. Here, we report a neural mechanism underlying social modulation of spontaneous locomotor activity (SoMo-SLA), an internal-driven behavior indicative of internal states. We find that social enrichment specifically reduces spontaneous locomotor activity in male flies. We identify neuropeptides Diuretic hormone 44 (DH44) and Tachykinin (TK) to be up- and down-regulated by social enrichment and necessary for SoMo-SLA. We further demonstrate a sexually dimorphic neural circuit, in which the male-specific P1 neurons encoding internal states form positive feedback with interneurons coexpressing doublesex (dsx) and Tk to promote locomotion, while P1 neurons also form negative feedback with interneurons coexpressing dsx and DH44 to inhibit locomotion. These two opposing neuromodulatory recurrent circuits represent a potentially common mechanism that underlies the social regulation of multiple innate behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Xinyu Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Mingze Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Limin Xing
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Ji
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong226019, China
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Ahmed OM, Crocker A, Murthy M. Transcriptional profiling of Drosophila male-specific P1 (pC1) neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.07.566045. [PMID: 37986870 PMCID: PMC10659367 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.07.566045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
In Drosophila melanogaster, the P1 (pC1) cluster of male-specific neurons both integrates sensory cues and drives or modulates behavioral programs such as courtship, in addition to contributing to a social arousal state. The behavioral function of these neurons is linked to the genes they express, which underpin their capacity for synaptic signaling, neuromodulation, and physiology. Yet, P1 (pC1) neurons have not been fully characterized at the transcriptome level. Moreover, it is unknown how the molecular landscape of P1 (pC1) neurons acutely changes after flies engage in social behaviors, where baseline P1 (pC1) neural activity is expected to increase. To address these two gaps, we use single cell-type RNA sequencing to profile and compare the transcriptomes of P1 (pC1) neurons harvested from socially paired versus solitary male flies. Compared to control transcriptome datasets, we find that P1 (pC1) neurons are enriched in 2,665 genes, including those encoding receptors, neuropeptides, and cell-adhesion molecules (dprs/DIPs). Furthermore, courtship is characterized by changes in ~300 genes, including those previously implicated in regulating behavior (e.g. DopEcR, Octβ3R, Fife, kairos, rad). Finally, we identify a suite of genes that link conspecific courtship with the innate immune system. Together, these data serve as a molecular map for future studies of an important set of higher-order and sexually-dimorphic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama M Ahmed
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Amanda Crocker
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
| | - Mala Murthy
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
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5
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Sato K, Yamamoto D. Molecular and cellular origins of behavioral sex differences: a tiny little fly tells a lot. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1284367. [PMID: 37928065 PMCID: PMC10622783 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1284367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral sex differences primarily derive from the sexually dimorphic organization of neural circuits that direct the behavior. In Drosophila melanogaster, the sex-determination genes fruitless (fru) and doublesex (dsx) play pivotal roles in producing the sexual dimorphism of neural circuits for behavior. Here we examine three neural groups expressing fru and/or dsx, i.e., the P1 cluster, aSP-f and aSP-g cluster pairs and aDN cluster, in which causal relationships between the dimorphic behavior and dimorphic neural characteristics are best illustrated. aSP-f, aSP-g and aDN clusters represent examples where fru or dsx switches cell-autonomously their neurite structures between the female-type and male-type. Processed sensory inputs impinging on these neurons may result in outputs that encode different valences, which culminate in the execution of distinct behavior according to the sex. In contrast, the P1 cluster is male-specific as its female counterpart undergoes dsx-driven cell death, which lowers the threshold for the induction of male-specific behaviors. We propose that the products of fru and dsx genes, as terminal selectors in sexually dimorphic neuronal wiring, induce and maintain the sex-typical chromatin state at postembryonic stages, orchestrating the transcription of effector genes that shape single neuron structures and govern cell survival and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosei Sato
- Neuro-ICT Laboratory, Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kobe, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamamoto
- Neuro-ICT Laboratory, Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kobe, Japan
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6
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Ji X, Li X, Wang L, Liu S, Jiang X, Pan Y. Asexuality in Drosophila juvenile males is organizational and independent of juvenile hormone. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56898. [PMID: 37530648 PMCID: PMC10561357 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202356898] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexuality is generally prevented in newborns and arises with organizational rewiring of neural circuitry and optimization of fitness for reproduction competition. Recent studies reported that sex circuitry in Drosophila melanogaster is developed in juvenile males but functionally inhibited by juvenile hormone (JH). Here, we find that the fly sex circuitry, mainly expressing the male-specific fruitless (fruM ) and/or doublesex (dsx), is organizationally undeveloped and functionally inoperative in juvenile males. Artificially activating all fruM neurons induces substantial courtship in solitary adult males but not in juvenile males. Synaptic transmissions between major courtship regulators and all dsx neurons are strong in adult males but either weak or undetectable in juvenile males. We further find that JH does not inhibit male courtship in juvenile males but instead promotes courtship robustness in adult males. Our results indicate that the transition to sexuality from juvenile to adult flies requires organizational rewiring of neural circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Ji
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaolong Li
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lin Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Suning Liu
- Guangmeiyuan R&D Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied TechnologySouth China Normal UniversityMeizhouChina
| | - Xinyu Jiang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and TechnologySoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
- Co‐innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantongChina
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7
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Sun J, Liu WK, Ellsworth C, Sun Q, Pan Y, Huang YC, Deng WM. Integrating lipid metabolism, pheromone production and perception by Fruitless and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadf6254. [PMID: 37390217 PMCID: PMC10313179 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf6254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Sexual attraction and perception are crucial for mating and reproductive success. In Drosophila melanogaster, the male-specific isoform of Fruitless (Fru), FruM, is a known master neuro-regulator of innate courtship behavior to control the perception of sex pheromones in sensory neurons. Here, we show that the non-sex-specific Fru isoform (FruCOM) is necessary for pheromone biosynthesis in hepatocyte-like oenocytes for sexual attraction. Loss of FruCOM in oenocytes resulted in adults with reduced levels of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), including sex pheromones, and show altered sexual attraction and reduced cuticular hydrophobicity. We further identify Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (Hnf4) as a key target of FruCOM in directing fatty acid conversion to hydrocarbons. Fru or Hnf4 depletion in oenocytes disrupts lipid homeostasis, resulting in a sex-dimorphic CHC profile that differs from doublesex- and transformer-dependent CHC dimorphism. Thus, Fru couples pheromone perception and production in separate organs to regulate chemosensory communications and ensure efficient mating behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wen-Kan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Calder Ellsworth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yi-Chun Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wu-Min Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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De Donno MD, Puricella A, D'Attis S, Specchia V, Bozzetti MP. Expression of Transposable Elements in the Brain of the Drosophila melanogaster Model for Fragile X Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051060. [PMID: 37239420 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051060] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome is a neuro-developmental disease affecting intellectual abilities and social interactions. Drosophila melanogaster represents a consolidated model to study neuronal pathways underlying this syndrome, especially because the model recapitulates complex behavioural phenotypes. Drosophila Fragile X protein, or FMRP, is required for a normal neuronal structure and for correct synaptic differentiation in both the peripheral and central nervous systems, as well as for synaptic connectivity during development of the neuronal circuits. At the molecular level, FMRP has a crucial role in RNA homeostasis, including a role in transposon RNA regulation in the gonads of D. m. Transposons are repetitive sequences regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels to avoid genomic instability. De-regulation of transposons in the brain in response to chromatin relaxation has previously been related to neurodegenerative events in Drosophila models. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that FMRP is required for transposon silencing in larval and adult brains of Drosophila "loss of function" dFmr1 mutants. This study highlights that flies kept in isolation, defined as asocial conditions, experience activation of transposable elements. In all, these results suggest a role for transposons in the pathogenesis of certain neurological alterations in Fragile X as well as in abnormal social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dolores De Donno
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Antonietta Puricella
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Simona D'Attis
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Valeria Specchia
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Bozzetti
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Via Monteroni 165, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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Sun J, Liu WK, Ellsworth C, Sun Q, Pan YF, Huang YC, Deng WM. Integrating lipid metabolism, pheromone production and perception by Fruitless and Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529767. [PMID: 36865119 PMCID: PMC9980076 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Sexual attraction and perception, governed by separate genetic circuits in different organs, are crucial for mating and reproductive success, yet the mechanisms of how these two aspects are integrated remain unclear. In Drosophila , the male-specific isoform of Fruitless (Fru), Fru M , is known as a master neuro-regulator of innate courtship behavior to control perception of sex pheromones in sensory neurons. Here we show that the non-sex specific Fru isoform (Fru COM ) is necessary for pheromone biosynthesis in hepatocyte-like oenocytes for sexual attraction. Loss of Fru COM in oenocytes resulted in adults with reduced levels of the cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), including sex pheromones, and show altered sexual attraction and reduced cuticular hydrophobicity. We further identify Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 ( Hnf4 ) as a key target of Fru COM in directing fatty acid conversion to hydrocarbons in adult oenocytes. fru - and Hnf4 -depletion disrupts lipid homeostasis, resulting in a novel sex-dimorphic CHC profile, which differs from doublesex - and transformer -dependent sexual dimorphism of the CHC profile. Thus, Fru couples pheromone perception and production in separate organs for precise coordination of chemosensory communication that ensures efficient mating behavior. Teaser Fruitless and lipid metabolism regulator HNF4 integrate pheromone biosynthesis and perception to ensure robust courtship behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wen-Kan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Calder Ellsworth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Yu-Feng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yi-Chun Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Wu-Min Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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10
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Palmateer CM, Artikis C, Brovero SG, Friedman B, Gresham A, Arbeitman MN. Single-cell transcriptome profiles of Drosophila fruitless-expressing neurons from both sexes. eLife 2023; 12:e78511. [PMID: 36724009 PMCID: PMC9891730 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster reproductive behaviors are orchestrated by fruitless neurons. We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing on pupal neurons that produce sex-specifically spliced fru transcripts, the fru P1-expressing neurons. Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) with clustering generates an atlas containing 113 clusters. While the male and female neurons overlap in UMAP space, more than half the clusters have sex differences in neuron number, and nearly all clusters display sex-differential expression. Based on an examination of enriched marker genes, we annotate clusters as circadian clock neurons, mushroom body Kenyon cell neurons, neurotransmitter- and/or neuropeptide-producing, and those that express doublesex. Marker gene analyses also show that genes that encode members of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules, transcription factors, neuropeptides, neuropeptide receptors, and Wnts have unique patterns of enriched expression across the clusters. In vivo spatial gene expression links to the clusters are examined. A functional analysis of fru P1 circadian neurons shows they have dimorphic roles in activity and period length. Given that most clusters are comprised of male and female neurons indicates that the sexes have fru P1 neurons with common gene expression programs. Sex-specific expression is overlaid on this program, to build the potential for vastly different sex-specific behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M Palmateer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of MedicineTallahasseeUnited States
| | - Catherina Artikis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of MedicineTallahasseeUnited States
| | - Savannah G Brovero
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of MedicineTallahasseeUnited States
| | - Benjamin Friedman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of MedicineTallahasseeUnited States
| | - Alexis Gresham
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of MedicineTallahasseeUnited States
| | - Michelle N Arbeitman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of MedicineTallahasseeUnited States
- Program of Neuroscience, Florida State UniversityTallahasseeUnited States
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11
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Cao H, Tang J, Liu Q, Huang J, Xu R. Autism-like behaviors regulated by the serotonin receptor 5-HT2B in the dorsal fan-shaped body neurons of Drosophila melanogaster. Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:203. [PMID: 36253869 PMCID: PMC9575255 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00838-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. Previous studies have reported an association of serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) with ASD, but the specific receptors and neurons by which serotonin modulates autistic behaviors have not been fully elucidated. METHODS RNAi-mediated knockdown was done to destroy the function of tryptophan hydroxylase (Trh) and all the five serotonin receptors. Given that ubiquitous knockdown of 5-HT2B showed significant defects in social behaviors, we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 system to knock out the 5-HT2B receptor gene. Social space assays and grooming assays were the major methods used to understand the role of serotonin and related specific receptors in autism-like behaviors of Drosophila melanogaster. RESULTS A close relationship was identified between serotonin and autism-like behaviors reflected by increased social space distance and high-frequency repetitive behavior in Drosophila. We further utilized the binary expression system to knock down all the five 5-HT receptors, and observed the 5-HT2B receptor as the main receptor responsible for the normal social space and repetitive behavior in Drosophila for the specific serotonin receptors underlying the regulation of these two behaviors. Our data also showed that neurons in the dorsal fan-shaped body (dFB), which expressed 5-HT2B, were functionally essential for the social behaviors of Drosophila. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our data suggest that serotonin levels and the 5-HT2B receptor are closely related to the social interaction and repetitive behavior of Drosophila. Of all the 5 serotonin receptors, 5-HT2B receptor in dFB neurons is mainly responsible for serotonin-mediated regulation of autism-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haowei Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221004, China
| | - Junbo Tang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Qisha Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Capital Medical University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100069, China.
| | - Rui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pathogen Biology of Jiangsu Province, Department of Pathogen Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
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12
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The doublesex gene regulates dimorphic sexual and aggressive behaviors in Drosophila. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201513119. [PMID: 36067320 PMCID: PMC9477402 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201513119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Most animal species display dimorphic sexual behaviors and male-biased aggressiveness. Current models have focused on the male-specific product from the fruitless (fruM) gene, which controls male courtship and male-specific aggression patterns in fruit flies, and describe a male-specific mechanism underlying sexually dimorphic behaviors. Here we show that the doublesex (dsx) gene, which expresses male-specific DsxM and female-specific DsxF transcription factors, functions in the nervous system to control both male and female sexual and aggressive behaviors. We find that Dsx is not only required in central brain neurons for male and female sexual behaviors, but also functions in approximately eight pairs of male-specific neurons to promote male aggressiveness and approximately two pairs of female-specific neurons to inhibit female aggressiveness. DsxF knockdown females fight more frequently, even with males. Our findings reveal crucial roles of dsx, which is broadly conserved from worms to humans, in a small number of neurons in both sexes to establish dimorphic sexual and aggressive behaviors.
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13
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Neural Control of Action Selection Among Innate Behaviors. Neurosci Bull 2022; 38:1541-1558. [PMID: 35633465 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00886-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nervous systems must not only generate specific adaptive behaviors, such as reproduction, aggression, feeding, and sleep, but also select a single behavior for execution at any given time, depending on both internal states and external environmental conditions. Despite their tremendous biological importance, the neural mechanisms of action selection remain poorly understood. In the past decade, studies in the model animal Drosophila melanogaster have demonstrated valuable neural mechanisms underlying action selection of innate behaviors. In this review, we summarize circuit mechanisms with a particular focus on a small number of sexually dimorphic neurons in controlling action selection among sex, fight, feeding, and sleep behaviors in both sexes of flies. We also discuss potentially conserved circuit configurations and neuromodulation of action selection in both the fly and mouse models, aiming to provide insights into action selection and the sexually dimorphic prioritization of innate behaviors.
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14
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Peng Q, Chen J, Pan Y. From fruitless to sex: On the generation and diversification of an innate behavior. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 20:e12772. [PMID: 34672079 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Male sexual behavior in Drosophila melanogaster, largely controlled by the fruitless (fru) gene encoding the male specific FruM protein, is among the best studied animal behaviors. Although substantial studies suggest that FruM specifies a neuronal circuitry governing all aspects of male sexual behaviors, recent findings show that FruM is not absolutely necessary for such behaviors. We propose that another regulatory gene doublesex encoding the male-specific DsxM protein builds a core neuronal circuitry that possesses the potential for courtship, which could be either induced through adult social experience or innately manifested during development by FruM expression in a broader neuronal circuitry. FruM expression levels and patterns determine the modes of courtship behavior from innate heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, to learned courtship. We discuss how FruM expression is regulated by hormones and social experiences and tunes functional flexibility of the sex circuitry. We propose that regulatory genes hierarchically build the potential for innate and learned aspects of courtship behaviors, and expression changes of these regulatory genes among different individuals and species with different social experiences ultimately lead to behavioral diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qionglin Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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15
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Peng Q, Chen J, Su X, Wang R, Han C, Pan Y. The sex determination gene doublesex is required during adulthood to maintain sexual orientation. J Genet Genomics 2021; 49:165-168. [PMID: 34474181 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qionglin Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Jiangtao Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xiangbin Su
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Rong Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Caihong Han
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yufeng Pan
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China.
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16
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Palmateer CM, Moseley SC, Ray S, Brovero SG, Arbeitman MN. Analysis of cell-type-specific chromatin modifications and gene expression in Drosophila neurons that direct reproductive behavior. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009240. [PMID: 33901168 PMCID: PMC8102012 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Examining the role of chromatin modifications and gene expression in neurons is critical for understanding how the potential for behaviors are established and maintained. We investigate this question by examining Drosophila melanogaster fru P1 neurons that underlie reproductive behaviors in both sexes. We developed a method to purify cell-type-specific chromatin (Chromatag), using a tagged histone H2B variant that is expressed using the versatile Gal4/UAS gene expression system. Here, we use Chromatag to evaluate five chromatin modifications, at three life stages in both sexes. We find substantial changes in chromatin modification profiles across development and fewer differences between males and females. Additionally, we find chromatin modifications that persist in different sets of genes from pupal to adult stages, which may point to genes important for cell fate determination in fru P1 neurons. We generated cell-type-specific RNA-seq data sets, using translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP). We identify actively translated genes in fru P1 neurons, revealing novel stage- and sex-differences in gene expression. We also find chromatin modification enrichment patterns that are associated with gene expression. Next, we use the chromatin modification data to identify cell-type-specific super-enhancer-containing genes. We show that genes with super-enhancers in fru P1 neurons differ across development and between the sexes. We validated that a set of genes are expressed in fru P1 neurons, which were chosen based on having a super-enhancer and TRAP-enriched expression in fru P1 neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen M. Palmateer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Shawn C. Moseley
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Surjyendu Ray
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Savannah G. Brovero
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Michelle N. Arbeitman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
- Program of Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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