Glial cells physiologically modulate clock neurons and circadian behavior in a calcium-dependent manner.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An important goal of contemporary neuroscience research is to define the neural circuits and synaptic interactions that mediate behavior. In both mammals and Drosophila, the neuronal circuitry controlling circadian behavior has been the subject of intensive investigation, but roles for glial cells in the networks controlling rhythmic behavior have only begun to be defined in recent studies.

Results

Here, we show that conditional, glial-specific genetic manipulations affecting membrane (vesicle) trafficking, the membrane ionic gradient, or calcium signaling lead to circadian arrhythmicity in adult behaving Drosophila. Correlated and reversible effects on a clock neuron peptide transmitter (PDF) and behavior demonstrate the capacity for glia-to-neuron signaling in t

SUBMITTER: Ng FS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3081987 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature