Regulation of aggression by obesity-linked genes TfAP-2 and Twz through octopamine signaling in Drosophila.

Abstract

In Drosophila, the monoamine octopamine, through mechanisms that are not completely understood, regulates both aggression and mating behavior. Interestingly, our study demonstrates that the Drosophila obesity-linked homologs Transcription factor AP-2 (TfAP-2; TFAP2B in humans) and Tiwaz (Twz; KCTD15 in humans) interact to modify male behavior by controlling the expression of Tyramine β-hydroxylase and Vesicular monanime transporter, genes necessary for octopamine production and secretion. Furthermore, we reveal that octopamine in turn regulates aggression through the Drosophila cholecystokinin satiation hormone homolog Drosulfakinin (Dsk). Finally, we establish that TfAP-2 is expressed in octopaminergic neurons known to control aggressive behavior and that TfAP-2 requires functional Twz for its activity. We conclude that genetically manipulating the obesity-linked homologs TfAP-2 and Twz is sufficient to affect octopamine signaling, which in turn modulates Drosophila male behavior through the regulation of the satiation hormone Dsk.

• Authors: Michael J Williams, Philip Goergen, Jayasimman Rajendran, Anica Klockars, Anna Kasagiannis, Robert Fredriksson, Helgi B Schiöth
• Journal: Genetics (Genetics) Vol. 196 Issue 1 Pg. 349-62 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1943-2631 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24142897 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
• Dibenzazepines
• Drosophila Proteins
• Histamine H1 Antagonists
• Imidazoles
• Oligopeptides
• Transcription Factor AP-2
• Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins
• drosulfakinin 0
• Octopamine
• Cholecystokinin
• Mixed Function Oxygenases
• tyramine beta-hydroxylase
• Tdc2 protein, Drosophila
• Tyrosine Decarboxylase
• epinastine
• Phentolamine

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Aggression (physiology)
• Animals
• Cholecystokinin (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics)
• Dibenzazepines (pharmacology)
• Drosophila Proteins (genetics)
• Drosophila melanogaster (genetics)
• Histamine H1 Antagonists (pharmacology)
• Imidazoles (pharmacology)
• Male
• Mixed Function Oxygenases (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Obesity (genetics)
• Octopamine (antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Oligopeptides (genetics)
• Phentolamine (pharmacology)
• Satiety Response (physiology)
• Sexual Behavior, Animal (physiology)
• Signal Transduction (genetics)
• Transcription Factor AP-2 (genetics)
• Tyrosine Decarboxylase (genetics)
• Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins (biosynthesis, genetics)