The genetic basis of natural variation in mushroom body size in Drosophila melanogaster

Liesbeth Zwarts; Lies Vanden Broeck; Elisa Cappuyns; Julien F. Ayroles; Michael M. Magwire; Veerle Vulsteke; Jason Clements; Trudy F.C. Mackay; Patrick Callaerts

doi:10.1038/ncomms10115

The genetic basis of natural variation in mushroom body size in Drosophila melanogaster

Liesbeth Zwarts, Lies Vanden Broeck, Elisa Cappuyns, Julien F. Ayroles, Michael M. Magwire, Veerle Vulsteke, Jason Clements, Trudy F.C. Mackay, Patrick Callaerts

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Genetic variation in brain size may provide the basis for the evolution of the brain and complex behaviours. The genetic substrate and the selective pressures acting on brain size are poorly understood. Here we use the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel to map polymorphic variants affecting natural variation in mushroom body morphology. We identify 139 genes and 39 transcription factors and confirm effects on development and adult plasticity. We show correlations between morphology and aggression, sleep and lifespan. We propose that natural variation in adult brain size is controlled by interaction of the environment with gene networks controlling development and plasticity.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	10115
Journal	Nature communications
Volume	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms10115
State	Published - Dec 11 2015
Externally published	Yes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

General Chemistry
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
General Physics and Astronomy

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10.1038/ncomms10115

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title = "The genetic basis of natural variation in mushroom body size in Drosophila melanogaster",

abstract = "Genetic variation in brain size may provide the basis for the evolution of the brain and complex behaviours. The genetic substrate and the selective pressures acting on brain size are poorly understood. Here we use the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel to map polymorphic variants affecting natural variation in mushroom body morphology. We identify 139 genes and 39 transcription factors and confirm effects on development and adult plasticity. We show correlations between morphology and aggression, sleep and lifespan. We propose that natural variation in adult brain size is controlled by interaction of the environment with gene networks controlling development and plasticity.",

author = "Liesbeth Zwarts and {Vanden Broeck}, Lies and Elisa Cappuyns and Ayroles, {Julien F.} and Magwire, {Michael M.} and Veerle Vulsteke and Jason Clements and Mackay, {Trudy F.C.} and Patrick Callaerts",

note = "Funding Information: We thank the TRiP at Harvard Medical School (NIH/NIGMS R01-GM084947) for providing transgenic RNAi fly stocks and/or plasmid vectors used in this study. This work was supported by VIB funding and FWO grants (G065408.N10 and G078914N) to PC and National Institute of Health grants R01 GM45146 and R01 GM076083 to TFCM. L.V.B. is the recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship of the FWO.",

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day = "11",

doi = "10.1038/ncomms10115",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "6",

journal = "Nature communications",

issn = "2041-1723",

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T1 - The genetic basis of natural variation in mushroom body size in Drosophila melanogaster

AU - Zwarts, Liesbeth

AU - Vanden Broeck, Lies

AU - Cappuyns, Elisa

AU - Ayroles, Julien F.

AU - Magwire, Michael M.

AU - Vulsteke, Veerle

AU - Clements, Jason

AU - Mackay, Trudy F.C.

AU - Callaerts, Patrick

N1 - Funding Information: We thank the TRiP at Harvard Medical School (NIH/NIGMS R01-GM084947) for providing transgenic RNAi fly stocks and/or plasmid vectors used in this study. This work was supported by VIB funding and FWO grants (G065408.N10 and G078914N) to PC and National Institute of Health grants R01 GM45146 and R01 GM076083 to TFCM. L.V.B. is the recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship of the FWO.

PY - 2015/12/11

Y1 - 2015/12/11

N2 - Genetic variation in brain size may provide the basis for the evolution of the brain and complex behaviours. The genetic substrate and the selective pressures acting on brain size are poorly understood. Here we use the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel to map polymorphic variants affecting natural variation in mushroom body morphology. We identify 139 genes and 39 transcription factors and confirm effects on development and adult plasticity. We show correlations between morphology and aggression, sleep and lifespan. We propose that natural variation in adult brain size is controlled by interaction of the environment with gene networks controlling development and plasticity.

AB - Genetic variation in brain size may provide the basis for the evolution of the brain and complex behaviours. The genetic substrate and the selective pressures acting on brain size are poorly understood. Here we use the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel to map polymorphic variants affecting natural variation in mushroom body morphology. We identify 139 genes and 39 transcription factors and confirm effects on development and adult plasticity. We show correlations between morphology and aggression, sleep and lifespan. We propose that natural variation in adult brain size is controlled by interaction of the environment with gene networks controlling development and plasticity.

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The genetic basis of natural variation in mushroom body size in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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