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Control of Sleep by Dopaminergic Inputs to the Drosophila Mushroom Body
Divya Sitaraman1, Yoshinori Aso2, Gerald M Rubin2
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, USA ; Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Ashburn, VA, USA.
Abstract:
The Drosophila mushroom body (MB) is an associative learning network that is important for the control of sleep. We have recently identified particular intrinsic MB Kenyon cell (KC) classes that regulate sleep through synaptic activation of particular MB output neurons (MBONs) whose axons convey sleep control signals out of the MB to downstream target regions. Specifically, we found that sleep-promoting KCs increase sleep by preferentially activating cholinergic sleep-promoting MBONs, while wake-promoting KCs decrease sleep by preferentially activating glutamatergic wake-promoting MBONs. Here we use a combination of genetic and physiological approaches to identify wake-promoting dopaminergic neurons (DANs) that innervate the MB, and show that they activate wake-promoting MBONs. These studies reveal a dopaminergic sleep control mechanism that likely operates by modulation of KC-MBON microcircuits.
Insights
Dopaminergic neurons in Drosophila
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Research
- Drosophila melanogaster research
Background:
- The Drosophila mushroom body (MB) is crucial for associative learning and sleep regulation.
- Specific Kenyon cell (KC) classes within the MB control sleep by activating output neurons (MBONs).
- Sleep-promoting KCs activate cholinergic MBONs, while wake-promoting KCs activate glutamatergic MBONs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify wake-promoting dopaminergic neurons (DANs) innervating the Drosophila MB.
- To investigate the role of these DANs in activating wake-promoting MBONs.
- To elucidate a dopaminergic mechanism for sleep control in Drosophila.
Main Methods:
- Genetic analysis to identify specific neuron populations.
- Physiological approaches to record and manipulate neuronal activity.
- In vivo studies in Drosophila melanogaster.
Main Results:
- Identified specific wake-promoting dopaminergic neurons (DANs) that target the MB.
- Demonstrated that these DANs activate wake-promoting MBONs.
- Revealed a novel dopaminergic pathway influencing sleep.
Conclusions:
- Dopaminergic neurons modulate sleep in Drosophila via MBONs.
- This mechanism likely involves the modulation of KC-MBON microcircuits.
- Findings offer insights into the neural basis of sleep regulation.
