Light and temperature control the contribution of specific DN1 neurons to Drosophila circadian behavior
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Document Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2010-04-13Keywords
AnimalsAnimals, Genetically Modified
Behavior, Animal
CLOCK Proteins
Circadian Rhythm
Drosophila Proteins
Drosophila melanogaster
Light
Models, Neurological
Neurons
Neuropeptides
Period Circadian Proteins
Photoperiod
Temperature
Neuroscience and Neurobiology
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Show full item recordAbstract
The brain of Drosophila melanogaster contains approximately 150 circadian neurons [1] functionally divided into morning and evening cells that control peaks in daily behavioral activity at dawn and dusk, respectively [2, 3]. The PIGMENT DISPERSING-FACTOR (PDF)-positive small ventral lateral neurons (sLN(v)s) promote morning behavior, whereas the PDF-negative sLN(v) and the dorsal lateral neurons (LN(d)s) generate evening activity. Much less is known about the approximately 120 dorsal neurons (DN1, 2, and 3). Using a Clk-GAL4 driver that specifically targets a subset of DN1s, we generated mosaic per(0) flies with clock function restored only in these neurons. We found that the Clk4.1M-GAL4-positive DN1s promote only morning activity under standard (high light intensity) light/dark cycles. Surprisingly, however, these circadian neurons generate a robust evening peak of activity under a temperature cycle in constant darkness. Using different light intensities and ambient temperatures, we resolved this apparent paradox. The DN1 behavioral output is under both photic and thermal regulation. High light intensity suppresses DN1-generated evening activity. Low temperature inhibits morning behavior, but it promotes evening activity under high light intensity. Thus, the Clk4.1M-GAL4-positive DN1s, or the neurons they target, integrate light and temperature inputs to control locomotor rhythms. Our study therefore reveals a novel mechanism contributing to the plasticity of circadian behavior.Source
Curr Biol. 2010 Apr 13;20(7):600-5. Epub 2010 Apr 1. Link to article on publisher's siteDOI
10.1016/j.cub.2010.02.044Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/37917PubMed ID
20362449Related Resources
Link to Article in PubMedae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/j.cub.2010.02.044