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Connectomics Analysis Reveals First-, Second-, and Third-Order Thermosensory and Hygrosensory Neurons in the Adult Drosophila Brain.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Marin, Elizabeth C 
Büld, Laurin 
Theiss, Maria 
Sarkissian, Tatevik 
Roberts, Ruairí JV 

Abstract

Animals exhibit innate and learned preferences for temperature and humidity-conditions critical for their survival and reproduction. Leveraging a whole-brain electron microscopy volume, we studied the adult Drosophila melanogaster circuitry associated with antennal thermo- and hygrosensory neurons. We have identified two new target glomeruli in the antennal lobe, in addition to the five known ones, and the ventroposterior projection neurons (VP PNs) that relay thermo- and hygrosensory information to higher brain centers, including the mushroom body and lateral horn, seats of learned and innate behavior. We present the first connectome of a thermo- and hygrosensory neuropil, the lateral accessory calyx (lACA), by reconstructing neurons downstream of heating- and cooling-responsive VP PNs. A few mushroom body-intrinsic neurons solely receive thermosensory input from the lACA, while most receive additional olfactory and thermo- and/or hygrosensory PN inputs. Furthermore, several classes of lACA-associated neurons form a local network with outputs to other brain neuropils, suggesting that the lACA serves as a hub for thermo- and hygrosensory circuitry. For example, DN1a neurons link thermosensory PNs in the lACA to the circadian clock via the accessory medulla. Finally, we survey strongly connected downstream partners of VP PNs across the protocerebrum; these include a descending neuron targeted by dry-responsive VP PNs, meaning that just two synapses might separate hygrosensory inputs from motor circuits. These data provide a comprehensive first- and second-order layer analysis of Drosophila thermo- and hygrosensory systems and an initial survey of third-order neurons that could directly modulate behavior.

Description

Keywords

Drosophila, antennal lobe, circadian clock, connectomics, hygrosensation, lateral accessory calyx, lateral horn, mushroom body, projection neuron, thermosensation, Animals, Connectome, Drosophila melanogaster, Female, Neurons, Neuropil, Olfactory Pathways, Sensory Receptor Cells, Synapses, Thermoreceptors

Journal Title

Curr Biol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0960-9822
1879-0445

Volume Title

30

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (203261/Z/16/Z)
MRC LMB Graduate Studentship to M.W.P. Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds PhD Fellowship and a Herchel Smith Studentship to A.S.B. Cambridge Neuroscience-PSL collaborative grant supported by the Embassy of France in London to G.S.X.E.J.