The steroid-hormone ecdysone coordinates parallel pupariation neuromotor and morphogenetic subprograms via epidermis-to-neuron Dilp8-Lgr3 signal induction

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23218-5
• Publication Date: 2021-06-07T10:20:51Z
• Authors: Fabiana Heredia; Yanel Volonté; Joana Pereirinha; Magdalena Fernand...; Andreia P. Casimiro; Cláudia G. Belém; Filipe Viegas; Kohtaro Tanaka; Juliane Menezes; Maite Arana; Gisele A. Cardoso; André Macedo; Malwina Kotowicz; Facundo H. Prado ...; Marcos J. Dibo; Raquel D. Monfardini; Tatiana T. Torres; César S. Mendes; Andres Garelli; Alisson M. Gontijo
• Keywords: Relaxin

Abstract Innate behaviors consist of a succession genetically-hardwired motor and physiological subprograms that can be coupled to drastic morphogenetic changes. How these integrative responses are orchestrated is not completely understood. Here, we provide insight into mechanisms by studying pupariation, multi-step innate behavior Drosophila larvae critical for survival during metamorphosis. We find the steroid-hormone ecdysone triggers parallel pupariation neuromotor subprograms, which include induction relaxin-peptide hormone, Dilp8, in epidermis. Dilp8 acts on six Lgr3-positive thoracic interneurons couple both time instruct subprogram switching behavior. Our work reveals interorgan feedback gates progression between subunits an points ancestral neuromodulatory function relaxin signaling.