Synaptic targets of circadian clock neurons influence core clock parameters

Neuronal connectivity in the circadian clock network is essential for robust endogenous timekeeping. In the Drosophila circadian clock network, the small ventral lateral neurons (sLN_vs) serve as critical pacemakers. Peptidergic communication mediated by the neuropeptide Pigment Dispersing Factor (PDF), released by sLN_vs, has been well characterized. In contrast, little is known about the role of the synaptic connections that sLN_vs form with downstream neurons. Connectomic analyses revealed that the sLN_vs form strong synaptic connections with previously uncharacterized neurons called superior lateral protocerebrum 316 (SLP316). Here, we show that silencing the synaptic output from the SLP316 neurons via tetanus toxin expression shortened the free-running period, whereas hyperexciting them by expressing the bacterial voltage-gated sodium channel resulted in period lengthening. Under light-dark cycles, silencing SLP316 neurons caused lower daytime activity and higher daytime sleep. Our results reveal that the main postsynaptic partners of key Drosophila pacemaker neurons are a nonclock neuronal cell type that regulates the timing of sleep and activity.