Work

Contribution of neurons that express fruitless and Clock transcription factors to behavioral rhythms and courtship

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Animals need to integrate information across neuronal networks that direct reproductive behaviors and circadian rhythms. The Drosophila master regulatory transcription factors that direct courtship and circadian rhythms are co-expressed. We find sex differences in the number of these fruitless ( fru ) and Clock ( Clk )-expressing neurons ( fru ∩ Clk neurons) regulated by male-specific Fru. We assign the fru ∩ Clk neurons to the electron microscopy connectome and to subtypes of clock neurons. We discover sex differences in fru -expressing neurons that are post-synaptic targets of Clk -expressing neurons. When fru ∩ Clk neurons are activated or silenced, we observe a male-specific shortening of period length. Activation of fru ∩ Clk neurons also changes the rate a courtship behavior is performed. We examine male courtship behavior over 24 h and find courtship activities peak at lights-on. These results reveal how neurons that subserve the two processes can impact behavioral outcomes in a sex-specific manner.

Source: iScience

DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112037

Authors: Anthony Deluca, Brooke Bascom, Daniela A. Key Planas, Matthew A. Kocher, Marielise Torres, Michelle N. Arbeitman

Institution: Florida State University

Language: English

Topic: Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,240

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development