PgmNr D1292: Male aggression requires the function of both octopamine and glutamate in dual neurotransmitting neurons.

Authors:
H. R. Morgan 1 ; H. M. McKinney 2 ; S. J. Certel 1 ; R. S. Stowers 2


Institutes
1) University of Montana, Missoula, MT; 2) Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.


Keyword: aggression

Abstract:

How information is encoded, transformed, and processed as it is transmitted between neurons is a fundamental question in neuroscience. In the last 15 years, dual transmission, or the ability of a neuron to release multiple transmitters has become firmly established, yet the functional significance has been difficult to dissect. Here we demonstrate through antibody labeling and new intersectional genetic tools that a subset of octopamine (OA) neurons within the adult brain also utilizes the neurotransmitter glutamate (Glut). Eliminating OA in these neurons has previously revealed aberrant male social behaviors including a delay in the initiation of aggression and a reduction in aggressive lunge number. OA has also previously been shown to mediate the choice between reproduction and aggression as males without OA display increased levels of male-male courtship and intermix aggression and courtship behavioral patterns. With this foundation, we are investigating if both OA and glutamate signaling from OA-Glut neurons is required for male aggression and reproductive behavior using two approaches. First, we examined the behavior of males deficient for glutamate in OA neurons through RNAi interference (tdc2-Gal4/UAS-vGlut-IR). Preliminary results indicate males lacking glutamate in the OA-Glut dual neurotransmission neurons exhibit a reduction in lunge number similar to the loss of OA yet do not display an increase in male-male courtship as compared to transgenic controls. Second, we will use the new intersectional genetic method to eliminate only glutamate in the OA neurons by creating a vGlut complete loss-of-function allele within the OA neuronal population and quantify the subsequent changes on male behavior. Finally, males deficient in both OA and glutamate transmission will be assessed for the same behaviors. Taken together, our results demonstrate glutamate function within OA neurons is required for sex-specific, sensory-invoked behavior and provide a platform to understand the behavioral relevance of dual transmission in any system.



Flybase Genetic Index:
1. FlyBase gene symbol: Tdc2; FBgn: FBgn0050446
2. FlyBase gene symbol: vGlut; FBgn: FBgn0031424