Cellular and behavioral functions of fruitless isoforms in Drosophila courtship.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Male-specific products of the fruitless (fru) gene control the development and function of neuronal circuits that underlie male-specific behaviors in Drosophila, including courtship. Alternative splicing generates at least three distinct Fru isoforms, each containing a different zinc-finger domain. Here, we examine the expression and function of each of these isoforms.

Results

We show that most fru(+) cells express all three isoforms, yet each isoform has a distinct function in the elaboration of sexually dimorphic circuitry and behavior. The strongest impairment in courtship behavior is observed in fru(C) mutants, which fail to copulate, lack sine song, and do not generate courtship song in the absence of visual stimuli. Cellular dimorphisms in the fru circuit ar

SUBMITTER: von Philipsborn AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3969150 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature