A small cohort of FRU(M) and Engrailed-expressing neurons mediate successful copulation in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Drosophila, male flies require the expression of the male-specific Fruitless protein (FRU(M)) within the developing pupal and adult nervous system in order to produce male courtship and copulation behaviors. Recent evidence has shown that specific subsets of FRU(M) neurons are necessary for particular steps of courtship and copulation. In these neurons, FRU(M) function has been shown to be important for determining sex-specific neuronal characteristics, such as neurotransmitter profile and morphology.

Results

We identified a small cohort of FRU(M) interneurons in the brain and ventral nerve cord by their co-expression with the transcription factor Engrailed (En). We used an En-GAL4 driver to express a fru(M) RNAi construct in order to selectively deplete FRU(M)

SUBMITTER: Latham KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3664081 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature