Serotonin Signals Modulate Mushroom Body Output Neurons for Sustaining Water-Reward Long-Term Memory in Drosophila

Wang Pao Lee, Meng Hsuan Chiang, Li Yun Chang, Wei Huan Shyu, Tai Hsiang Chiu, Tsai Feng Fu, Tony Wu, Chia Lin Wu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Memory consolidation is a time-dependent process through which an unstable learned experience is transformed into a stable long-term memory; however, the circuit and molecular mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. The Drosophila mushroom body (MB) is a huge brain neuropil that plays a crucial role in olfactory memory. The MB neurons can be generally classified into three subsets: γ, αβ, and α′β′. Here, we report that water-reward long-term memory (wLTM) consolidation requires activity from α′β′-related mushroom body output neurons (MBONs) in a specific time window. wLTM consolidation requires neurotransmission in MBON-γ3β′1 during the 0–2 h period after training, and neurotransmission in MBON-α′2 is required during the 2–4 h period after training. Moreover, neurotransmission in MBON-α′1α′3 is required during the 0–4 h period after training. Intriguingly, blocking neurotransmission during consolidation or inhibiting serotonin biosynthesis in serotoninergic dorsal paired medial (DPM) neurons also disrupted the wLTM, suggesting that wLTM consolidation requires serotonin signals from DPM neurons. The GFP Reconstitution Across Synaptic Partners (GRASP) data showed the connectivity between DPM neurons and MBON-γ3β′1, MBON-α′2, and MBON-α′1α′3, and RNAi-mediated silencing of serotonin receptors in MBON-γ3β′1, MBON-α′2, or MBON-α′1α′3 disrupted wLTM. Taken together, our results suggest that serotonin released from DPM neurons modulates neuronal activity in MBON-γ3β′1, MBON-α′2, and MBON-α′1α′3 at specific time windows, which is critical for the consolidation of wLTM in Drosophila.

Original languageEnglish
Article number755574
JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Volume9
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 11 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2021 Lee, Chiang, Chang, Shyu, Chiu, Fu, Wu and Wu.

Keywords

  • 5HT receptor
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • long-term memory
  • mushroom body
  • neuronal circuits of the brain
  • serotonin

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