Circadian and genetic modulation of visually-guided navigation in Drosophila larvae

Asirim, Ece Z.; Humberg, Tim-Henning; Maier, G. Larisa; Sprecher, Simon G.

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-59614-y

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Circadian and genetic modulation of visually-guided navigation in Drosophila larvae

Asirim, Ece Z. Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
Humberg, Tim-Henning Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
Maier, G. Larisa Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
Sprecher, Simon G. Department of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

17.02.2020

Published in:

Scientific Reports. - 2020, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 2752

English Organisms possess an endogenous molecular clock which enables them to adapt to environmental rhythms and to synchronize their metabolism and behavior accordingly. Circadian rhythms govern daily oscillations in numerous physiological processes, and the underlying molecular components have been extensively described from fruit flies to mammals. Drosophila larvae have relatively simple nervous system compared to their adult counterparts, yet they both share a homologous molecular clock with mammals, governed by interlocking transcriptional feedback loops with highly conserved constituents. Larvae exhibit a robust light avoidance behavior, presumably enabling them to avoid predators and desiccation, and DNA-damage by exposure to ultraviolet light, hence are crucial for survival. Circadian rhythm has been shown to alter light-dark preference, however it remains unclear how distinct behavioral strategies are modulated by circadian time. To address this question, we investigate the larval visual navigation at different time-points of the day employing a computer- based tracking system, which allows detailed evaluation of distinct navigation strategies. Our results show that due to circadian modulation specific to light information processing, larvae avoid light most efficiently at dawn, and a functioning clock mechanism at both molecular and neuro-signaling level is necessary to conduct this modulation.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Biologie

Language