RRC ID 11657
Author Gong Z, Liu J, Guo C, Zhou Y, Teng Y, Liu L.
Title Two pairs of neurons in the central brain control Drosophila innate light preference.
Journal Science
Abstract Appropriate preferences for light or dark conditions can be crucial for an animal's survival. Innate light preferences are not static in some animals, including the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, which prefers darkness in the feeding larval stage but prefers light in adulthood. To elucidate the neural circuit underlying light preference, we examined the neurons involved in larval phototactic behavior by regulating neuronal functions. Modulating activity of two pairs of isomorphic neurons in the central brain switched the larval light preference between photophobic and photophilic. These neurons were found to be immediately downstream of pdf-expressing lateral neurons, which are innervated by larval photoreceptors. Our results revealed a neural mechanism that could enable the adjustment of animals' response strategies to environmental stimuli according to biological needs.
Volume 330(6003)
Pages 499-502
Published 2010-10-22
DOI 10.1126/science.1195993
PII 330/6003/499
PMID 20966250
MeSH Animals Behavior, Animal / radiation effects* Brain / cytology Brain / physiology Drosophila melanogaster / cytology Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development Drosophila melanogaster / radiation effects* Green Fluorescent Proteins Larva / physiology Larva / radiation effects Light* Neural Pathways Neurons / physiology*
IF 41.846
Times Cited 53
WOS Category NEUROSCIENCES
Resource
Drosophila Gal4 lines