Neckameyer W S, Matsuo H
Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Science, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA.
Neuroscience. 2008 Oct 28;156(4):841-56. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.08.020. Epub 2008 Aug 22.
Studies in mammalian systems have shown an array of changes in transmitter signaling in diverse brain regions in response to stress, which differ depending on the age and genetic makeup of the animal, as well as the type of stress. Here, we exploit the genetic tractability of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, a comparatively simple but useful model in which to elucidate conserved components of stress response pathways. We show that structures within the mushroom bodies and central complex, two distinct anatomical regions within the Drosophila brain, modulate behavioral responses to two different environmental stressors. Modification of behavioral output after exposure to these stressors was dependent on the sex, sexual maturity, and reproductive status of the animal. These parameters also affected whether a mutant Drosophila strain carrying specific defects within the mushroom bodies and/or central complex modified its response to stress relative to wild-type flies. Our results suggest that for each population, unique subsets of neurons are recruited into the stress response circuitry and differentially affect locomotor behavior and cardiac function. These data also provide evidence for neural plasticity in the adult insect brain.
对哺乳动物系统的研究表明，在应激状态下，不同脑区的神经递质信号传导会发生一系列变化，这些变化因动物的年龄、基因组成以及应激类型的不同而有所差异。在此，我们利用果蝇（黑腹果蝇）的遗传易处理性，果蝇是一种相对简单但有用的模型，可用于阐明应激反应途径的保守成分。我们发现，果蝇大脑中两个不同的解剖区域——蘑菇体和中央复合体中的结构，可调节对两种不同环境应激源的行为反应。暴露于这些应激源后行为输出的改变取决于动物的性别、性成熟度和生殖状态。这些参数还影响携带蘑菇体和/或中央复合体特定缺陷的突变果蝇品系相对于野生型果蝇对压力的反应是否改变。我们的结果表明，对于每个群体，独特的神经元子集被招募到应激反应回路中，并对运动行为和心脏功能产生不同影响。这些数据也为成年昆虫大脑中的神经可塑性提供了证据。
