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Examining Sleep Modulation by Drosophila Ellipsoid Body Neurons
Prabhjit Singh1, Abigail Aleman1,2, Jaison Jiro Omoto1
1Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095.
Eneuro
|September 7, 2023
Summary
Researchers identified new sleep-regulating neurons in fruit flies (Drosophila). ER3d neurons promote wakefulness, while ER3m neurons promote sleep, revealing novel circuit elements that stabilize sleep-wake states.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Chronobiology
- Insect Models
Background:
- The central complex in Drosophila contains sleep-regulatory neurons.
- Understanding the connectivity and network motifs of these neurons is crucial for deciphering sleep regulation.
- Previous studies had incomplete examinations of relevant cell types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel sleep-regulatory neurons in the Drosophila central complex.
- To investigate the roles of ellipsoid body ring (ER) neurons in sleep-wake behavior.
- To elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying sleep-wake state stabilization.
Main Methods:
- Thermogenetic screening in female Drosophila to assess sleep/wake behavior.
- Utilizing a genetic-anatomic classification of ellipsoid body ring neurons.
- Employing intersectional genetics to refine driver expression patterns.
- Using an activity-dependent fluorescent reporter to map synaptic contacts.
Main Results:
- Identified two wake-promoting drivers for ER3d neurons and two sleep-promoting drivers for ER3m cells.
- Activation of ER3d cells shortened sleep bouts, indicating a role in sleep maintenance.
- Suppression of GABA synthesis in ER3m neurons impaired postinjury sleep.
- GABAergic ER3d cells are essential for thermogenetically induced wakefulness.
- ER3m and ER3d neurons may receive input from wake-active Helicon/ExR1 cells, with ER3m neurons likely inhibiting ER3d neurons.
Conclusions:
- Newly identified ER3m and ER3d neurons represent previously uncharacterized circuit elements involved in sleep-wake regulation.
- These neurons contribute to stabilizing sleep-wake states through specific network interactions.
- The findings provide insights into the neural circuitry governing sleep maintenance and wakefulness in Drosophila.
