A Neuronal Pathway that Commands Deceleration in Drosophila Larval Light-Avoidance
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 959-968 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal / Publication | Neuroscience Bulletin |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 6 |
Online published | 27 Feb 2019 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2019 |
Externally published | Yes |
Link(s)
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)
In: Neuroscience Bulletin, Vol. 35, No. 6, 12.2019, p. 959-968.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review