A new system for studying neuronal remodeling and its relation to behavior in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Neuronal remodeling is essential for the precise formation of mature nervous systems. Drosophila serves to study neuronal remodeling; however, existing experimental systems are insufficient for examining circuit-level neuronal remodeling and its effect on behavior. We present a new model system to investigate neuronal remodeling. We show that the Moonwalker SEZ neuron, which elicits backward walking in adult flies, is part of a conserved circuit persisting from larva to adult. Utilizing the system, we examine developmental neuronal remodeling, describe a gene-regulatory mechanism controlling outgrowth, and uncover a causal relation between remodeling and behavior. The well-characterized connectivity of the circuit, low number of elements, direct control of the motor output, and availabilit

SUBMITTER: Israel S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12749610 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature