title: Neuroendocrine control of Drosophila larval light preference.
abstract: Animal development is coupled with innate behaviors that maximize chances of survival. Here, we show that the prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), a neuropeptide that controls the developmental transition from juvenile stage to sexual maturation, also regulates light avoidance in Drosophila melanogaster larvae. PTTH, through its receptor Torso, acts on two light sensors--the Bolwig's organ and the peripheral class IV dendritic arborization neurons--to regulate light avoidance. We found that PTTH concomitantly promotes steroidogenesis and light avoidance at the end of larval stage, driving animals toward a darker environment to initiate the immobile maturation phase. Thus, PTTH controls the decisions of when and where animals undergo metamorphosis, optimizing conditions for adult development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.forename: Nuria M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Kim F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Rewitz
authors.forename: Mu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Léopold
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003624:Darkness; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000254:growth & development*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004924:Escape Reaction; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008027:Light; D055537:Light Signal Transduction; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; C009089:prothoracicotropic hormone; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C080148:tor protein, Drosophila