GABA transmission from mAL interneurons regulates aggression in Drosophila males.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 119(5)2022 02 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35082150
ABSTRACT
Aggression is known to be regulated by pheromonal information in many species. But how central brain neurons processing this information modulate aggression is poorly understood. Using the fruit fly model of Drosophila melanogaster, we systematically characterize the role of a group of sexually dimorphic GABAergic central brain neurons, popularly known as mAL, in aggression regulation. The mAL neurons are known to be activated by male and female pheromones. In this report, we show that mAL activation robustly increases aggression, whereas its inactivation decreases aggression and increases intermale courtship, a behavior considered reciprocal to aggression. GABA neurotransmission from mAL is crucial for this behavior regulation. Exploiting the genetic toolkit of the fruit fly model, we also find a small group of approximately three to five GABA+ central brain neurons with anatomical similarities to mAL. Activation of the mAL resembling group of neurons is necessary for increasing intermale aggression. Overall, our findings demonstrate how changes in activity of GABA+ central brain neurons processing pheromonal information, such as mAL in Drosophila melanogaster, directly modulate the social behavior of aggression in male-male pairings.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Conducta Animal
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Encéfalo
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Proteínas de Drosophila
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Agresión
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Drosophila melanogaster
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Ácido gamma-Aminobutírico
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Interneuronas
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article