TitleMaturation of a central brain flight circuit in Drosophila requires Fz2/Ca²⁺ signaling.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsAgrawal T, Hasan G
JournalElife
Volume4
Date Published2015
ISSN2050-084X
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.

DOI10.7554/eLife.07046
Alternate JournalElife
PubMed ID25955970
PubMed Central IDPMC4451221
Grant ListP40OD018537 / OD / NIH HHS / United States