A5073660492- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Adipose Tissue and Metabolism
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
- Congenital heart defects research
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
- Parkinson's Disease and Spinal Disorders
- Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ
- Reproductive Biology and Fertility
University of Copenhagen
2017-2025
Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology
2021
Janelia Research Campus
2015-2018
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2015-2018
Helix (United States)
2015-2016
Rice University
2005-2010
The coordination of growth with nutritional status is essential for proper development and physiology. Nutritional information mostly perceived by peripheral organs before being relayed to the brain, which modulates physiological responses. Hormonal signaling ensures this organ-to-organ communication, failure endocrine regulation in humans can cause diseases including obesity diabetes. In Drosophila melanogaster, fat body (adipose tissue) has been suggested play an important role coupling...
Highlights•The relaxin family receptor Lgr3 controls Dilp8-induced developmental delay•A single pair of bilateral Lgr3-positive (GCL) neurons mediates Dilp8 function•GCL physically interact with PTTH neurons•Lgr3 signaling in GCL coordinates growth and limits variabilitySummaryEarly transplantation grafting experiments suggest that body organs follow autonomous programs [1–3], therefore pointing to a need for coordination mechanisms produce fit individuals proper proportions. We recently...
NeuromedinU is a potent regulator of food intake and activity in mammals. In Drosophila , neurons producing the homologous neuropeptide hugin regulate feeding locomotion similar manner. Here, we use EM-based reconstruction to generate entire connectome hugin-producing larval CNS. We demonstrate that synaptic transmission addition peptidergic neuromodulation identify acetylcholine as key transmitter. Hugin are both necessary for regulatory effect on feeding. further show subtypes connect...
Stem cell maintenance is established by neighboring niche cells that promote stem self-renewal. However, it poorly understood how activity regulated systemic, tissue-extrinsic signals in response to environmental cues and changes physiological status. Here, we show neuropeptide F (NPF) signaling plays an important role the pathway regulating mating-induced germline (GSC) proliferation fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. NPF expressed enteroendocrine (EECs) of midgut released seminal-fluid...
Behavior and physiology are orchestrated by neuropeptides acting as central neuromodulators circulating hormones. An outstanding question is how these function to coordinate complex competing behaviors. In Drosophila, the neuropeptide leucokinin (LK) modulates diverse functions, but mechanisms underlying interactions remain poorly understood. As a first step towards understanding mechanisms, we delineated LK circuitry that governs various aspects of post-feeding behavior. We found impaired...
Abstract Animals must adapt their dietary choices to meet nutritional needs. How these needs are detected and translated into nutrient-specific appetites that drive food-choice behaviours is poorly understood. Here we show enteroendocrine cells of the adult female Drosophila midgut sense nutrients in response release neuropeptide F (NPF), which an ortholog mammalian Y-family gut-brain hormones. Gut-derived NPF acts on glucagon-like adipokinetic hormone (AKH) signalling induce sugar satiety...
Abstract The intestine is a central regulator of metabolic homeostasis. Dietary inputs are absorbed through the gut, which senses their nutritional value and relays hormonal information to other organs coordinate systemic energy balance. However, gut-derived hormones affecting behavioral responses poorly defined. Here we show that endocrine cells Drosophila gut sense nutrient stress mechanism involves TOR pathway in response secrete peptide hormone allatostatin C, somatostatin homolog....
Animals select food based on hungers that reflect dynamic macronutrient needs, but the hormonal mechanisms underlying nutrient-specific appetite regulation remain poorly defined. Here, we identify tachykinin (Tk) as a protein-responsive gut hormone in Drosophila and female mice, regulated by conserved environmental nutrient-sensing mechanisms. Protein intake activates Tk-expressing enteroendocrine cells (EECs), driving release of Tk through involving target rapamycin (TOR) transient receptor...
Abstract Organisms adapt their metabolism and growth to the availability of nutrients oxygen, which are essential for development, yet mechanisms by this adaptation occurs not fully understood. Here we describe an RNAi-based body-size screen in Drosophila identify such mechanisms. Among strongest hits is fibroblast factor receptor homolog breathless necessary proper development tracheal airway system. Breathless deficiency results tissue hypoxia, sensed primarily context fat through HIF-1a...
Significance For individuals to develop sexually dimorphic body parts and behavior, their cells must know sex. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster , this process is carried out by a series of genes ending with fruitless ( fru ) doublesex dsx ). We found that both Fru Dsx regulate expression leucine-rich repeat G protein-coupled receptor 3 Lgr3 gene in separate sets neurons, including neurons important for female sexual behavior. Thus, development point convergence after / split.
Significance To survive, an organism must adjust its behavior based upon past experiences. In Drosophila , aggression affects fitness as it ensures access to food and mating resources. Here, we show that repeated aggressive encounters, males adopt a winner or loser state shows the qualities of persistence generalization. Winning is perceived rewarding, while losing aversive. We also demonstrate activity specific dopamine neurons needed for avoid odor previously paired with losing. Although...
Perception of the earth's gravitational force is essential for most forms animal life. However, little known molecular mechanisms and neuronal circuitry underlying responses. A forward genetic screen using Drosophila melanogaster that provides insight into these characteristics described here. Vertical choice mazes combined with additional behavioral assays were used to identify mutants specifically affected in gravitaxic Twenty-three selected analysis. As a result, 18 candidate genes are...
Abstract Ant colonies are higher-level organisms consisting of specialized reproductive and non-reproductive individuals that differentiate early in development, similar to germ–soma segregation bilateral Metazoa. Analogous diverging cell lines, developmental differentiation individual ants has often been considered epigenetic terms but the sets genes determine caste phenotypes throughout larval pupal development remain unknown. Here, we reconstruct trajectories two ant species, Monomorium...
Nutrition is one of the most important influences on growth and timing maturational transitions including mammalian puberty insect metamorphosis. Childhood obesity associated with precocious puberty, but assessment mechanism that links body fat to early maturation unknown. During development, intake nutrients promotes signaling through insulin-like systems govern cells tissues also regulates timely production steroid hormones initiate juvenile-adult transition. We show here dietary lipid...
Neuronal circuits are known to integrate nutritional information, but the identity of circuit components is not completely understood. Amino acids a class nutrients that vital for growth and function an organism. Here, we report neuronal allows Drosophila larvae overcome amino acid deprivation pupariate. We find nutrient stress sensed by IV multidendritic cholinergic neurons. Through live calcium imaging experiments, show these stimuli conveyed glutamatergic neurons in ventral ganglion...
The insect juvenile hormone receptor is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH), Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain protein, novel type of receptor. In higher flies like Drosophila, the ancestral germ cell-expressed (gce) gene has duplicated to yield paralog Methoprene-tolerant (Met). These paralogous receptors share redundant function during development but play unique roles in adults. Some aspects JH apparently require one or other. To provide foundation for studying function, we have recapitulated...
The human 22q11.2 chromosomal deletion is one of the strongest identified genetic risk factors for schizophrenia. Although spans a number known genes, contribution each these to syndrome (DS) not known. To investigate effect individual genes within this interval on pathophysiology associated with deletion, we analyzed their role in sleep, behavior affected virtually all psychiatric disorders, including DS. We gene LZTR1 (night owl, nowl) as regulator night-time sleep Drosophila. In humans,...
Exercise improves metabolic health, enhances insulin sensitivity, and preserves muscle function, making it a core intervention to combat age-related decline disorders. However, large-scale genetic pharmacological screens uncover exercise-induced adaptations remain challenging in mammalian models due their complexity cost. Here, we present the ClimbMaster, fully automated, computer-controlled platform for assessing physical performance fruit fly Drosophila. The system uses repeated climbing...
Males of the genus Drosophila produce sperm remarkable length. Investigation giant production in melanogaster has demonstrated that specialized actin and microtubule structures play key roles. The gene yuri gagarin (yuri) encodes a novel protein previously identified through its role gravitaxis. A male-sterile mutation revealed roles for Yuri functions tubulin spermatogenesis. is component motile cones individualize spermatids essential their formation. Furthermore, required accumulation...
ABSTRACT The activation of a neuroendocrine system that induces surge in steroid production is conserved initiator the juvenile-to-adult transition many animals. trigger for maturation secretion brain-derived neuropeptides, yet mechanisms controlling timely onset this event remain ill-defined. Here, we show regulatory feedback circuit Drosophila neuropeptide Prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) triggers onset. We identify Ecdysone Receptor (EcR) PTTH-expressing neurons (PTTHn) as regulator...
Abstract Animals select food based on hungers that reflect dynamic and specific macronutrient needs. Feeding behavior is governed by endocrine signals, but the hormonal mechanisms underlying nutrient-specific appetite regulation are poorly defined. We demonstrate gut hormone Tachykinin (Tk), an ortholog of mammalian Substance P, controls selective in Drosophila . When protein-rich consumed, enteroendocrine cells (EECs) midgut release Tk, which acts adipokinetic (AKH)-producing cells. AKH...