Anatomical Characterization of Thermosensory AC Neurons in the Adult Drosophila Brain

Abstract

Abstract: Temperature preference is vital for the survival of all animals. A small set of warm-activated anterior cell (AC) neurons acting as an internal thermosensor in the Drosophila brain is critical for optimal temperature selection (, Nature, 454, 217–220). Here, the authors analyze the circuit components of the AC neurons by characterization of its spatial distribution, dendrite-axon polarity, and the putative type of neurontransmitter released. The results show that the AC neurons are serotonergic, do not have any dendrites, and send axons bilaterally to the superior dorsofrontal protocerebrum (SDFP). Searching the FlyCircuit database for neurons with serotonin receptor and dendrites in the SDFP, the authors found a dorsal-anterior-lateral (DAL) neuron as a candidate postsynaptic partner of the AC neurons. In conclusion, by morphological analysis of the AC neurons, the authors show a general strategy for predicting brain circuits orchestrating thermosensory behaviors.

Keywords::

• AC neuron
• DAL neuron
• FlyCircuit
• temperature
• thermotaxis
• TrpA1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Paul Garrity for dTrpA1-GAL4, Tzumin Lee for UAS-Dscam::GFP, and Aaron DiAntonio for the VGlut antibody. We also thank the Bloomington Stock Center for UAS-Syt::GFP and the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank for the 4F3 anti-disc large antibody developed by Corey Goodman. This work was supported by the MOE and NSC projects.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.