GABA-mediated inhibition in visual feedback neurons fine-tunes Drosophila male courtship.

ABSTRACT: Vision is critical for the regulation of mating behaviors in many species. Here, we discovered that the Drosophila ortholog of human GABA _A -receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) is required to fine-tune male courtship by modulating the activity of visual feedback neurons, lamina tangential cells (Lat). GABARAP is a ubiquitin-like protein that regulates cell-surface levels of GABA _A receptors. Knocking down GABARAP or GABA _A receptors in Lat neurons or hyperactivating them induces male courtship toward other males. Inhibiting Lat neurons, on the other hand, delays copulation by impairing the ability of males to follow females. Remarkably, the human ortholog of Drosophila GABARAP restores function in Lat neurons. Usi

SUBMITTER: Mabuchi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9900824 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature