Letter abstract
Nature Genetics 39, 678 - 682 (2007)
Published online: 22 April 2007 | doi:10.1038/ng2029
Serotonin and neuropeptide F have opposite modulatory effects on fly aggression
Herman A Dierick1 & Ralph J Greenspan1
Both serotonin (5-HT) and neuropeptide Y have been shown to affect a variety of mammalian behaviors1, 2, 3, including aggression4, 5. Here we show in Drosophila melanogaster that both 5-HT and neuropeptide F, the invertebrate homolog of neuropeptide Y, modulate aggression. We show that drug-induced increases of 5-HT in the fly brain increase aggression. Elevating 5-HT genetically in the serotonergic circuits recapitulates these pharmacological effects, whereas genetic silencing of these circuits makes the flies behaviorally unresponsive to the drug-induced increase of 5-HT but leaves them capable of aggression. Genetic silencing of the neuropeptide F (npf) circuit also increases fly aggression, demonstrating an opposite modulation to 5-HT. Moreover, this neuropeptide F effect seems to be independent of 5-HT. The implication of these two modulatory systems in fly and mouse aggression suggest a marked degree of conservation and a deep molecular root for this behavior.
- The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John J. Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, USA.
Correspondence to: Herman A Dierick1 e-mail: dierick@nsi.edu
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