Neuronal basis of olfactory antagonism in moths

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H03293
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 44050:Animal physiological chemistry, physiology and behavioral biology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Namiki Shigehiro 東京大学, 先端科学技術研究センター, 准教授 (40567757)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 匂い源探索 / 神経回路 / フェロモン / 細胞内記録 / 電気生理学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Electrophysiological techniques using silkmoth Bombyx mori revealed that antagonism occurs in the second and later of the four brain regions in the information pathway. The second region in the silkworm moth brain, the lateral protocerebrum, is known to have separate areas for processing sex pheromones and antagonists. We then tested whether similar functional structures exist in insects other than the silkworm moth using a hawkmoth Agrius convolvuli, for which physiological measurements are relatively easy. In Agrius, we identified cells that transmit antagonist information to the lateral protocerebrum. By standardizing the experimental data, we compared the distribution of axonal projections and confirmed that, as in the silkworm moth, sex pheromone information is output inward and antagonist information outward. The commonality among different species suggests that this feature may contribute to antagonism.

Free Research Field

神経行動学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ガ類では性フェロモンによるコミュニケーションの発達に伴い、種の顕著な多様化がみとめられる。多様な信号が混在する実環境下で、異種のフェロモンによって、性フェロモン行動が抑制されるアンタゴニズムの機構は、フェロモン選好性の変化による生殖隔離において必要不可欠なプロセスであり、種分化のメカニズムを理解するうえで重要である。本研究成果はアンタゴニズムの機構について、解剖学的な知見を提供したという点で学術的な価値がある。