1] Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan [2] Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan.
Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tennodai, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan.
Nat Commun. 2014 Dec 23;5:5919. doi: 10.1038/ncomms6919.
Moths use a sophisticated olfactory navigation strategy for resource localization. Here we investigate the neuronal circuits involved in sensory processing to generate locomotor commands for pheromone-source orientation in the moth. We identify a candidate pathway for pheromone processing in the protocerebrum using a mass-staining technique. Our intracellular recordings of pheromone responsiveness detect four major circuits, including a newly identified unstructured neuropil, the superior medial protocerebrum, which supplies output to the lateral accessory lobe (LAL), the premotor centre for walking commands. Interneurons innervating the lower division of the LAL elicited longer responses than those innervating the upper division. Descending interneurons innervating the lower division of the LAL showed a state-dependent flip-flop response. In contrast, input from other visual areas in the protocerebrum mostly converge onto the upper division of the LAL. These results reveal the basic organization of the LAL: the upper division is identified as a protocerebral hub that receives inputs from various areas, while the lower division generates long-lasting activity for locomotor command.
飞蛾利用复杂的嗅觉导航策略来定位资源。在这里，我们研究了参与感觉处理的神经元回路，以产生用于性信息素源定向的运动命令。我们使用大量染色技术确定了原脑中的一个候选性信息素处理途径。我们对性信息素反应性的细胞内记录检测到四个主要回路，包括一个新发现的无结构神经网，即上内侧原脑，它为行走命令的前运动中心即外侧附加叶（LAL）提供输出。支配 LAL 下部的传入神经元比支配 LAL 上部的传入神经元产生的反应更长。支配 LAL 下部的下行传入神经元表现出状态依赖的正反拍反应。相比之下，来自原脑中其他视觉区域的输入大多集中在 LAL 的上部。这些结果揭示了 LAL 的基本组织：上部被确定为一个原脑枢纽，接收来自不同区域的输入，而下部则产生持久的运动命令活动。
