@article {69007, title = {Driver lines for studying associative learning in Drosophila}, journal = {bioRxiv}, year = {2023}, month = {2023 Sep 16}, abstract = {

The mushroom body (MB) is the center for associative learning in insects. In Drosophila, intersectional split-GAL4 drivers and electron microscopy (EM) connectomes have laid the foundation for precise interrogation of the MB neural circuits. However, many cell types upstream and downstream of the MB remained to be investigated due to lack of driver lines. Here we describe a new collection of over 800 split-GAL4 and split-LexA drivers that cover approximately 300 cell types, including sugar sensory neurons, putative nociceptive ascending neurons, olfactory and thermo-/hygro-sensory projection neurons, interneurons connected with the MB-extrinsic neurons, and various other cell types. We characterized activation phenotypes for a subset of these lines and identified the sugar sensory neuron line most suitable for reward substitution. Leveraging the thousands of confocal microscopy images associated with the collection, we analyzed neuronal morphological stereotypy and discovered that one set of mushroom body output neurons, MBON08/MBON09, exhibits striking individuality and asymmetry across animals. In conjunction with the EM connectome maps, the driver lines reported here offer a powerful resource for functional dissection of neural circuits for associative learning in adult Drosophila.

}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.94168.4}, url = {https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.94168.4 }, author = {Yichun Shuai and Megan Sammons and Gabriella Sterne and Karen Hibbard and He Yang and Ching-Po Yang and Claire Managan and Igor Siwanowicz and Tzumin Lee and Gerald M. Rubin and Glenn Turner and Yoshinori Aso} } @article {68149, title = {Metamorphosis of memory circuits in Drosophila reveal a strategy for evolving a larval brain.}, journal = {eLife}, year = {2023}, month = {2023 Jan 25}, abstract = {

Insects like\ Drosophila\ produce a second brain adapted to the form and behavior of a larva. Neurons for both larval and adult brains are produced by the same stem cells (neuroblasts) but the larva possesses only the earliest born neurons produced from each. To understand how a functional larval brain is made from this reduced set of neurons, we examined the origins and metamorphic fates of the neurons of the larval and adult mushroom body circuits. The adult mushroom body core is built sequentially of γ Kenyon cells, that form a medial lobe, followed by α{\textquoteright}β{\textquoteright}, and αβ Kenyon cells that form additional medial lobes and two vertical lobes. Extrinsic input (MBINs) and output (MBONs) neurons divide this core into computational compartments. The larval mushroom body contains only γ neurons. Its medial lobe compartments are roughly homologous to those of the adult and same MBONs are used for both. The larval vertical lobe, however, is an analogous {\textquotedblleft}facsimile{\textquotedblright} that uses a larval-specific branch on the γ neurons to make up for the missing α{\textquoteright}β{\textquoteright}, and αβ neurons. The extrinsic cells for the facsimile are early-born neurons that trans-differentiate to serve a mushroom body function in the larva and then shift to other brain circuits in the adult. These findings are discussed in the context of the evolution of a larval brain in insects with complete metamorphosis.

}, doi = {10.7554/eLife.80594}, url = {https://doi.org/110.7554/eLife.80594}, author = {James W. Truman and Jacquelyn Price and Rosa L. Miyares and Tzumin Lee} } @article {65019, title = {Orphan nuclear receptors control neuronal remodeling during fly metamorphosis.}, journal = {Nature Neuroscience}, volume = {14}, year = {2011}, month = {2010 Dec 27}, pages = {6-7}, abstract = {

News \& Views\ |\ Published:\ 27 December 2010

Orphan nuclear receptors control neuronal remodeling during fly metamorphosis

Nature Neuroscience\ volume\ 14,\ pages\ 6{\textendash}7\ (2011)\ |\ Download Citation

Pruning of excess branches is essential for the maturation of developing neuronal circuits. Cross-talk between TGF-β signaling and two antagonistic orphan nuclear receptors governs the pruning of larval γ neurons in the\ Drosophila\ pupa.

Neural circuits are remodeled as the brain matures or acquires new functions. Such developmental remodeling involves complex cellular changes that are tightly regulated in space and time. During metamorphosis of holometabolous insect brains, most larval functional neurons are rewired into the adult circuitry, and study of these processes has been particularly fruitful for the elucidation of the mechanisms that underlie neuron remodeling1. In metamorphosing\ Drosophila, nuclear signaling of the steroid hormone receptor ecdysone receptor B1 isoform (EcR-B1) cell-autonomously orchestrates neuron remodeling. Only neurons destined to remodel upregulate EcR-B1 expression before a crucial pre-pupal ecdysone pulse2. It is therefore necessary to determine the mechanisms that pattern EcR-B1 expression to understand how developmental neuronal remodeling is programmed in\ Drosophila.

}, doi = {10.1038/nn0111-6}, author = {Tzumin Lee and Takeshi Awasaki} }