Dorsal clock networks drive temperature preference rhythms in Drosophila

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Chronobiology
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Animals exhibit daily rhythms in body temperature (BTR).
• The precise neural mechanisms regulating BTR patterns and daily set points remain largely unknown.
• Drosophila, as small ectotherms, display a daily temperature preference rhythm (TPR) that generates their BTR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of dorsal clock networks in regulating Drosophila's daily temperature preference rhythm (TPR).
• To identify specific neuronal populations and their interactions involved in controlling body temperature rhythms.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.
• Investigated the function of dorsal neurons (DNs), including DN2s, posterior DN1s (DN1ps), and anterior DN1s (DN1as) in regulating TPR.
• Examined neuronal contacts and the effects of neuronal silencing on temperature preference.

Main Results:

• Dorsal clock networks, particularly DN2s, are essential for TPR regulation.
• DN2s and DN1ps form contacts that increase during the day, suggesting dynamic circuit modulation.
• Silencing DN2s or DN1ps resulted in a significantly lower temperature preference.
• Anterior DN1s (DN1as) were also identified as crucial for TPR.

Conclusions:

• Dorsal neuron networks, including DN2s, DN1ps, and DN1as, are the primary regulators of Drosophila's TPR.
• The temporal control and interaction within the DN microcircuit (DN2s to DN1ps) are critical for TPR.
• These findings elucidate the neural basis for generating rhythmic body temperature patterns and preferred temperatures in Drosophila.