Classification and genetic targeting of cell types in the primary taste and premotor center of the adult Drosophila brain

Abstract
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Abstract

Neural circuits carry out complex computations that allow animals to evaluate food, select mates, move toward attractive stimuli, and move away from threats. In insects, the subesophageal zone (SEZ) is a brain region that receives gustatory, pheromonal, and mechanosensory inputs and contributes to the control of diverse behaviors, including feeding, grooming, and locomotion. Despite its importance in sensorimotor transformations, the study of SEZ circuits has been hindered by limited knowledge of the underlying diversity of SEZ neurons. Here, we generate a collection of split-GAL4 lines that provides precise genetic targeting of 138 different SEZ cell types in adult D. melanogaster, comprising approximately one third of all SEZ neurons. We characterize the single cell anatomy of these neurons and find that they cluster by morphology into six supergroups that organize the SEZ into discrete anatomical domains. We find that the majority of local SEZ interneurons are not classically polarized, suggesting rich local processing, whereas SEZ projection neurons tend to be classically polarized, conveying information to a limited number of higher brain regions. This study provides insight into the anatomical organization of the SEZ and generates resources that will facilitate further study of SEZ neurons and their contributions to sensory processing and behavior.

Data availability

Detailed information about the split-GAL4s and available imagery is included in a supplemental database (attached as a supporting file). Image data are publicly available and all lines may be ordered at http://splitgal4.janelia.org.

The following previously published data sets were used

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SCope.

https://scope.aertslab.org/#/Davie_et_al_Cell_2018/Davie_et_al_Cell_2018%2FAerts_Fly_AdultBrain_Filtered_57k.loom/gene

Article and author information

Author details

Gabriella R Sterne

Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, United States

For correspondence
sternegr@berkeley.edu

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0002-7221-648X
Hideo Otsuna

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Barry J Dickson

Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0003-0715-892X
Kristin Scott

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States

For correspondence
kscott@berkeley.edu

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0003-3150-7210

Funding

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Gabriella R Sterne
Hideo Otsuna
Barry J Dickson

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (F32DK117671)

Gabriella R Sterne

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01NS110060)

Gabriella R Sterne
Kristin Scott

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Copyright

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License permitting unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.