A Neuronal Pathway that Commands Deceleration in Drosophila Larval Light-Avoidance

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

5 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Caixia Gong
  • Zhenhuan Ouyang
  • Weiqiao Zhao
  • Jie Wang
  • Kun Li
  • Ting Zhao
  • Nenggan Zheng
  • Zhefeng Gong

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)959-968
Number of pages10
Journal / PublicationNeuroscience Bulletin
Volume35
Issue number6
Online published27 Feb 2019
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2019
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

When facing a sudden danger or aversive condition while engaged in on-going forward motion, animals transiently slow down and make a turn to escape. The neural mechanisms underlying stimulation-induced deceleration in avoidance behavior are largely unknown. Here, we report that in Drosophila larvae, light-induced deceleration was commanded by a continuous neural pathway that included prothoracicotropic hormone neurons, eclosion hormone neurons, and tyrosine decarboxylase 2 motor neurons (the PET pathway). Inhibiting neurons in the PET pathway led to defects in light-avoidance due to insufficient deceleration and head casting. On the other hand, activation of PET pathway neurons specifically caused immediate deceleration in larval locomotion. Our findings reveal a neural substrate for the emergent deceleration response and provide a new understanding of the relationship between behavioral modules in animal avoidance responses.

Research Area(s)

  • Deceleration, Drosophila, EH neurons, Larva, Light avoidance, PTTH neurons, Tdc2 motor neurons

Citation Format(s)

A Neuronal Pathway that Commands Deceleration in Drosophila Larval Light-Avoidance. / Gong, Caixia; Ouyang, Zhenhuan; Zhao, Weiqiao et al.
In: Neuroscience Bulletin, Vol. 35, No. 6, 12.2019, p. 959-968.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review