A switch in thermal preference in Drosophila larvae depends on multiple rhodopsins

TitleA switch in thermal preference in Drosophila larvae depends on multiple rhodopsins
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsSokabe T, Chen H-C, Luo J, Montell C
JournalCell Rep
Volume17
Pagination336-344
Date Published2016 Oct 4
ISSN2211-1247
Abstract

Drosophila third-instar larvae exhibit changes in their behavioral responses to gravity and food as they transition from feeding to wandering stages. Using a thermal gradient encompassing the comfortable range (18°C to 28°C), we found that third-instar larvae exhibit a dramatic shift in thermal preference. Early third-instar larvae prefer 24°C, which switches to increasingly stronger biases for 18°C-19°C in mid- and late-third-instar larvae. Mutations eliminating either of two rhodopsins, Rh5 and Rh6, wiped out these age-dependent changes in thermal preference. In larvae, Rh5 and Rh6 are thought to function exclusively in the light-sensing Bolwig organ. However, the Bolwig organ was dispensable for the thermal preference. Rather, Rh5 and Rh6 were required in trpA1-expressing neurons in the brain, ventral nerve cord, and body wall. Because Rh1 contributes to thermal selection in the comfortable range during the early to mid-third-instar stage, fine thermal discrimination depends on multiple rhodopsins.

DOI10.1016/j.celrep.2016.09.028
Alternate JournalCell Rep
PubMed ID27705783