P1 interneurons promote a persistent internal state that enhances inter-male aggression in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: How brains are hardwired to produce aggressive behavior, and how aggression circuits are related to those that mediate courtship, is not well understood. A large-scale screen for aggression-promoting neurons in Drosophila identified several independent hits that enhanced both inter-male aggression and courtship. Genetic intersections revealed that 8-10 P1 interneurons, previously thought to exclusively control male courtship, were sufficient to promote fighting. Optogenetic experiments indicated that P1 activation could promote aggression at a threshold below that required for wing extension. P1 activation in the absence of wing extension triggered persistent aggression via an internal state that could endure for minutes. High-frequency P1 activation promoted wing extension and suppressed

SUBMITTER: Hoopfer ED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4749567 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature