Maturation of a central brain flight circuit in Drosophila requires Fz2/Ca²⁺ signaling.
Title | Maturation of a central brain flight circuit in Drosophila requires Fz2/Ca²⁺ signaling. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2015 |
Authors | Agrawal T, Hasan G |
Journal | Elife |
Volume | 4 |
Date Published | 2015 |
ISSN | 2050-084X |
Abstract | The final identity of a differentiated neuron is determined by multiple signaling events, including activity dependent calcium transients. Non-canonical Frizzled2 (Fz2) signaling generates calcium transients that determine neuronal polarity, neuronal migration, and synapse assembly in the developing vertebrate brain. Here, we demonstrate a requirement for Fz2/Ca(2+) signaling in determining the final differentiated state of a set of central brain dopaminergic neurons in Drosophila, referred to as the protocerebral anterior medial (PAM) cluster. Knockdown or inhibition of Fz2/Ca(2+) signaling during maturation of the flight circuit in pupae reduces Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) expression in the PAM neurons and affects maintenance of flight. Thus, we demonstrate that Fz2/Ca(2+) transients during development serve as a pre-requisite for normal adult behavior. Our results support a neural mechanism where PAM neuron send projections to the α' and β' lobes of a higher brain centre, the mushroom body, and function in dopaminergic re-inforcement of flight. |
DOI | 10.7554/eLife.07046 |
Alternate Journal | Elife |
PubMed ID | 25955970 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4451221 |
Grant List | P40OD018537 / OD / NIH HHS / United States |