PPL2ab neurons restore sexual responses in aged Drosophila males through dopamine

Shu-Yun Kuo, Chia-Lin Wu, Min-Yen Hsieh, Chen-Ta Lin, Rong-Kun Wen, Lien-Cheng Chen, Yu-Hui Chen, Yhu-Wei Yu, Horng-Dar Wang, Yi-Ju Su, Chun-Ju Lin, Cian-Yi Yang, Hsien-Yu Guan, Pei-Yu Wang, Tsuo-Hung Lan and Tsai-Feng Fu ()
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Shu-Yun Kuo: National Chi Nan University
Chia-Lin Wu: College of Medicine, Chang Gung University
Min-Yen Hsieh: National Chi Nan University
Chen-Ta Lin: National Chi Nan University
Rong-Kun Wen: National Chi Nan University
Lien-Cheng Chen: Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology
Yu-Hui Chen: National Chi Nan University
Yhu-Wei Yu: National Chi Nan University
Horng-Dar Wang: Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University
Yi-Ju Su: National Chi Nan University
Chun-Ju Lin: National Chi Nan University
Cian-Yi Yang: National Chi Nan University
Hsien-Yu Guan: National Chi Nan University
Pei-Yu Wang: Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University
Tsuo-Hung Lan: School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University
Tsai-Feng Fu: National Chi Nan University

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Male sexual desire typically declines with ageing. However, our understanding of the neurobiological basis for this phenomenon is limited by our knowledge of the brain circuitry and neuronal pathways controlling male sexual desire. A number of studies across species suggest that dopamine (DA) affects sexual desire. Here we use genetic tools and behavioural assays to identify a novel subset of DA neurons that regulate age-associated male courtship activity in Drosophila. We find that increasing DA levels in a subset of cells in the PPL2ab neuronal cluster is necessary and sufficient for increased sustained courtship in both young and aged male flies. Our results indicate that preventing the age-related decline in DA levels in PPL2ab neurons alleviates diminished courtship behaviours in male Drosophila. These results may provide the foundation for deciphering the circuitry involved in sexual motivation in the male Drosophila brain.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8490

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