Presentation Details
| Neural targets of male ejaculate proteins on female post-mating behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster Sushant Potdar1, Tasnim Makhmudova1, Ava Schenck-Davis1, Sofie Y.N.Delbare1, 2, Asha M.Jain1, Yassi Hafezi1, Mariana F.Wolfner1, Andrew G.Clark1. 1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.2NYU Langone Health, New York City, NY, USA |
Abstract
In many insects, female behavior changes after mating. This plasticity can be mediated by male-derived seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) interacting with the female nervous system. The Drosophila melanogaster Sex Peptide (SP), an SFP, causes mated females to decrease daytime sleep and consume more food than unmated females. While the SP-sensing neural circuits that connect to the female brain are known, the downstream neurons that affect post-mating behaviors are unknown. Since previous studies had shown that P2-neurons affect sleeping and feeding, we tested whether they are required downstream of mating/SP. Using the GAL4/UAS system, we activated/silenced P2-neurons in mated and unmated females, and measured the time spent sleeping, and food consumption. We found that P2-neurons are not responsible for post-mating changes in sleep, as mated females slept less compared to unmated females irrespective of P2-neuron perturbation. We are currently determining whether P2-neurons affect post-mating feeding behavior. Together, our work showcases the role (or lack of) a neural target of reproductive molecules, and the diverse ways in which such molecules affect female brains and behaviors.
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