title: The genetic basis of natural variation in mushroom body size in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Genetic variation in brain size may provide the basis for the evolution of the brain and complex behaviours. The genetic substrate and the selective pressures acting on brain size are poorly understood. Here we use the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel to map polymorphic variants affecting natural variation in mushroom body morphology. We identify 139 genes and 39 transcription factors and confirm effects on development and adult plasticity. We show correlations between morphology and aggression, sleep and lifespan. We propose that natural variation in adult brain size is controlled by interaction of the environment with gene networks controlling development and plasticity.
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.|VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwarts
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.|VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lies
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanden Broeck
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.|VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cappuyns
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695-7614, USA.
authors.forename: Julien F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ayroles
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695-7614, USA.
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Magwire
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.|VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vulsteke
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.|VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8901-784X
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clements
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Program in Genetics and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695-7614, USA.
authors.forename: Trudy F C
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Department of Human Genetics, Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.|VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Callaerts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D024521:Mushroom Bodies / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors