G(o) signaling is required for Drosophila associative learning.
Heterotrimeric G(o) is one of the most abundant proteins in the brain, yet relatively little is known of its neural functions in vivo. Here we demonstrate that G(o) signaling is required for the formation of associative memory. In Drosophila melanogaster, pertussis toxin (PTX) is a selective inhibitor of G(o) signaling. The postdevelopmental expression of PTX within mushroom body neurons robustly and reversibly inhibits associative learning. The effect of G(o) inhibition is distributed in both gamma- and alpha/beta-lobe mushroom body neurons. However, the expression of PTX in neurons adjacent to the mushroom bodies does not affect memory. PTX expression also does not interact genetically with a rutabaga adenylyl cyclase loss-of-function mutation. Thus, G(o) defines a new signaling pathway required in mushroom body neurons for the formation of associative memory.
Ferris
Jacob
J
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Ge
Hong
H
Liu
Lingzhi
L
Roman
Gregg
G
D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology*; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000378:metabolism*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D024521:Mushroom Bodies / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D037342:Pertussis Toxin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000502:physiology*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; C479926:Rut protein, Drosophila