Cell-type-specific circadian and light-responsive transcriptional dynamics in adult Drosophila neurons
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ABSTRACT: The Drosophila adult central brain contains 240 circadian neurons, of which there are more than 25 different neuron subtypes based on connectomic data. Recent single cell RNA-seq (scRNAseq) characterization of these neurons “around the clock” also indicate a similar number of circadian neuron subtypes, but other conclusions from these transcriptomic studies warranted verifying and extending with other approaches. To this end: 1) We used the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) multiplexing strategy to eliminate 10X batch effects and profile time points together; 2) Large numbers of single nuclei were sequenced (snRNA-seq), which was enabled because the new method EL-INTACT purifies nuclei from frozen heads; 3) We assayed 12 time points under both light–dark (LD) and constant darkness (DD) conditions. These approaches showed dramatic time of day separation of many circadian neuron types and enhanced time-of-day gene expression analysis. The data indicate that most of this regulation is transcriptional and circadian. There were however a small number of light-dependent transcripts, including a few that correspond to mammalian immediate-early genes. They probably play a role in the light-regulation of gene expression and behavior in specific neurons, perhaps circadian entrainment or phase-shifting. The results taken together provide a more comprehensive picture of gene expression heterogeneity within adult Drosophila circadian neurons including how intrinsic clock mechanisms and light cues are integrated across circadian neuron subtypes.
ORGANISM(S): Drosophila melanogaster
PROVIDER: GSE325877 | GEO | 2026/08/21
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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