Neuropeptide dynamics coordinate layered plasticity mechanisms adapting <i>Drosophila</i> circadian behavior to changing environment.

ABSTRACT: The Drosophila brain contains distinct circadian oscillators responsible for generating the morning and evening bouts of locomotor activity in light-dark cycles. We lack a mechanistic understanding of how environmental changes reshape the resulting bimodal rest-activity pattern. Here, we uncover a seasonal switch mechanism that remodels the evening bout of activity. Under temperate summer-like conditions, levels of the pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) neuropeptide diminish, triggering a cascade. Lowered PDF receptor (PDFR) signaling disinhibits glycogen synthase kinase 3/SHAGGY to advance the evening output, and in parallel, weakens the siesta-promoting vcDN1p-SIFamide axis to expand the evening peak. Under these conditions, vcDN1p takes over the evening pacemake

SUBMITTER: Chatterjee A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12396332 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature