Identification of interneurons that mediate vision-dependent courtship regulation in male Drosophila

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18582
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Animal physiology/Animal behavior
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Kohatsu Soh 東北大学, 生命科学研究科, 助教 (40571930)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ショウジョウバエ / 視覚行動 / 求愛行動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we found that two subsets of interneurons that express a sex determination gene fruitless are involved in vision-dependent courtship regulation in male Drosophila. Optogenetically activating either of these neurons, Lv1 + Ld neurons or AL5a neurons, induced locomotion turn, which is the part female chasing that a male show during courtship. In vivo Ca2+ imaging demonstrated that these neurons show Ca2+ rise during presentation of visual stimulus that can induce locomotion turn. GRASP analysis suggested that these two subsets of interneurons have synaptic contact in a brain region optic tubercle. Collectively, these neurons are suggested to consist visual circuits that mediate behavior regulation during courtship.

Free Research Field

神経行動学