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Published on: August 18, 2020
Divergent co-transmission by a predictive motor circuit modulates auditory processing
Marryn M Bennett1, Han S J Cheong2, Kaitlyn N Boone1
1Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
Abstract:
During behavior, predictive motor circuits modify sensory processing in anticipation of self-induced (reafferent) stimulation. However, specialized networks processing different facets of sensory information can be impacted by reafference generated by the same behavior. Here, we describe a predictive motor circuit in Drosophila that implements co-transmission to differentially modify auditory neurons that process sound in separate behavioral contexts. The metathoracic ascending histamine neurons (MtAHNs) become active prior to flight and co-transmit Dh44 and histamine, each of which suppresses auditory neurons integrated into distinct networks that support escape and courtship, respectively. Disrupting the release of either transmitter reduces courtship success, and co-transmission of Dh44 is present in Drosophila species that have an auditory component to their courtship displays but not in species whose courtship behavior lacks song production. Our results indicate that divergent co-transmission by predictive motor circuits may represent an efficient means of differentially modulating sensory subnetworks impacted by common reafferent feedback.
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