Rewiring an olfactory circuit by altering the combinatorial code of cell-surface proteins.

ABSTRACT: Proper brain function requires the precise assembly of neural circuits during development. Despite the identification of many cell-surface proteins (CSPs) that help guide axons to their targets^1,2, it remains largely unknown how multiple CSPs work together to assemble a functional circuit. Here, we used synaptic partner matching in the Drosophila olfactory circuit^3,4 to address this question. By systematically altering the combination of differentially expressed CSPs in a single olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) type, which senses a male pheromone that inhibits male-male courtship, we switched its connection from its endogenous postsynaptic projection neuron (PN) type nearly completely to a new PN type that promotes courtship. From this switch, we deduced a combi

SUBMITTER: Lyu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12338539 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature