MDN brain descending neurons coordinately activate backward and inhibit forward locomotion
- PMID: 30070205
- PMCID: PMC6097840
- DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38554
MDN brain descending neurons coordinately activate backward and inhibit forward locomotion
Abstract
Command-like descending neurons can induce many behaviors, such as backward locomotion, escape, feeding, courtship, egg-laying, or grooming (we define 'command-like neuron' as a neuron whose activation elicits or 'commands' a specific behavior). In most animals, it remains unknown how neural circuits switch between antagonistic behaviors: via top-down activation/inhibition of antagonistic circuits or via reciprocal inhibition between antagonistic circuits. Here, we use genetic screens, intersectional genetics, circuit reconstruction by electron microscopy, and functional optogenetics to identify a bilateral pair of Drosophila larval 'mooncrawler descending neurons' (MDNs) with command-like ability to coordinately induce backward locomotion and block forward locomotion; the former by stimulating a backward-active premotor neuron, and the latter by disynaptic inhibition of a forward-specific premotor neuron. In contrast, direct monosynaptic reciprocal inhibition between forward and backward circuits was not observed. Thus, MDNs coordinate a transition between antagonistic larval locomotor behaviors. Interestingly, larval MDNs persist into adulthood, where they can trigger backward walking. Thus, MDNs induce backward locomotion in both limbless and limbed animals.
Keywords: D. melanogaster; backward crawl; behavior; command neuron; descending neuron; locomotor; neural circuit; neuroscience.
© 2018, Carreira-Rosario et al.
Conflict of interest statement
AC, AZ, MC, LM, RF, AC, CD No competing interests declared
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