A systems level approach to temporal expression dynamics in Drosophila reveals clusters of long term memory genes

Abstract

The ability to integrate experiential information and recall it in the form of memory is observed in a wide range of taxa, and is a hallmark of highly derived nervous systems. Storage of past experiences is critical for adaptive behaviors that anticipate both adverse and positive environmental factors. The process of memory formation and consolidation involve many synchronized biological events including gene transcription, protein modification, and intracellular trafficking: However, many of these molecular mechanisms remain illusive. With Drosophila as a model system we use a nonassociative memory paradigm and a systems level approach to uncover novel transcriptional patterns. RNA sequencing of Drosophila heads during and after memory formation identified a number of novel memory genes. Tracking the dynamic expression of these genes over time revealed complex gene networks involved in long term memory. In particular, this study focuses on two functional gene clusters of signal peptides and proteases. Bioinformatics network analysis and prediction in combination with high-throughput RNA sequencing identified previously unknown memory genes, which when genetically knocked down resulted in behaviorally validated memory defects.

Antimicrobial peptides modulate long-term memory

“…Likewise, the complement system has been shown to be important for synapse formation, and immune receptors, such as Toll receptors, peptidoglycan pattern recognition receptor (PGRP), or interleukin receptors, are important for synaptic plasticity [2,3,4]. In Drosophila immune peptides have been implicated in sleep regulation [5] and nonassociative learning [6].…”

Transgeneratonal inheritance of ethanol preference is caused by maternal NPF repression

“…Global transcriptional changes in the female head across generations were examined with 133 RNA sequencing. Heads from the F 1 and F 2 generation were collected and compared 134 with the F 0 generation, which was previously reported (Bozler et al, 2017). Analysis of 135 the F 0 data detected 98 differentially expressed transcripts (15 down and 83 up) ( Fig.…”

“…Secondly, intact 121 long-term memory is not required to inherit ethanol preference. Given that ethanol 122 preference in the absence of wasps is long-term memory dependent, this experiment 123 reveals that the neuronal signaling is different for maintained ethanol preference in the F 0 124 and F 1 flies (Bozler et al, 2017). 125…”

Initiated by CREB: Resolving Gene Regulatory Programs in Learning and Memory

“…A variety of stimuli have been used to activate the CREB signaling pathway, for example, forskolin treatment, which activates cAMP‐signaling, constitutive active CREB, electrostimulation, or conditioning training . Similar approaches have also been used in Drosophila , Aplysia , and C. elegans . In Drosophila , selected cells involved in learning and memory were picked either by patch clamp or tagged nuclei (INTACT) to obtain cell‐type‐specific transcriptomic profiles.…”

“…Furthermore, in these studies, neuronal genes like neurotransmitter receptor subunits or vesicle fusion proteins are found, consistent with CREB's role in the neuronal processes. [58][59][60][61] Moreover, CREB's reported role in development [11,15] is recapitulated by hits such as CDKs (involved in cell-cycle regulation) or hox genes. All screens discovered transcription regulators, for example, egr1, as putative CREB targets.…”