Neuromodulation of Innate Behaviors in Drosophila

• Published in: Annual review of neuroscience Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 327 - 348
• Main Authors: Kim, Susy M, Su, Chih-Ying, Wang, Jing W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Annual Reviews 25.07.2017; Annual Reviews, Inc
• Subjects: Aggression; Amines; Animal behavior; Animals; biogenic amine; Biogenic amines; Circuits; Courtship; Cues; Drosophila melanogaster; Feeding behavior; Genetics; hormone; internal state; Neural networks; Neuromodulation; neuromodulator; Neurons; neuropeptide; Neuropeptides; biogenic amine; internal state; neuropeptide; neuromodulator; hormone
• ISSN: 0147-006X; 1545-4126
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-072116-031558

Animals are born with a rich repertoire of robust behaviors that are critical for their survival. However, innate behaviors are also highly adaptable to an animal's internal state and external environment. Neuromodulators, including biogenic amines, neuropeptides, and hormones, are released to signal changes in animals' circumstances and serve to reconfigure neural circuits. This circuit flexibility allows animals to modify their behavioral responses according to environmental cues, metabolic demands, and physiological states. Aided by powerful genetic tools, researchers have made remarkable progress in Drosophila melanogaster to address how a myriad of contextual information influences the input-output relationship of hardwired circuits that support a complex behavioral repertoire. Here we highlight recent advances in understanding neuromodulation of Drosophila innate behaviors, with a special focus on feeding, courtship, aggression, and postmating behaviors.