Transcriptome Analysis of NPFR Neurons Reveals a Connection Between Proteome Diversity and Social Behavior

Julia Ryvkin, Assa Bentzur, Anat Shmueli, Miriam Tannenbaum, Omri Shallom, Shiran Dokarker, Jennifer I.C. Benichou, Mali Levi, Galit Shohat-Ophir

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Social behaviors are mediated by the activity of highly complex neuronal networks, the function of which is shaped by their transcriptomic and proteomic content. Contemporary advances in neurogenetics, genomics, and tools for automated behavior analysis make it possible to functionally connect the transcriptome profile of candidate neurons to their role in regulating behavior. In this study we used Drosophila melanogaster to explore the molecular signature of neurons expressing receptor for neuropeptide F (NPF), the fly homolog of neuropeptide Y (NPY). By comparing the transcription profile of NPFR neurons to those of nine other populations of neurons, we discovered that NPFR neurons exhibit a unique transcriptome, enriched with receptors for various neuropeptides and neuromodulators, as well as with genes known to regulate behavioral processes, such as learning and memory. By manipulating RNA editing and protein ubiquitination programs specifically in NPFR neurons, we demonstrate that the proper expression of their unique transcriptome and proteome is required to suppress male courtship and certain features of social group interaction. Our results highlight the importance of transcriptome and proteome diversity in the regulation of complex behaviors and pave the path for future dissection of the spatiotemporal regulation of genes within highly complex tissues, such as the brain.

Original languageEnglish
Article number628662
JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
Volume15
DOIs
StatePublished - 31 Mar 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright © 2021 Ryvkin, Bentzur, Shmueli, Tannenbaum, Shallom, Dokarker, Benichou, Levi and Shohat-Ophir.

Funding

We thank all members of the Shohat-Ophir lab for fruitful discussions and technical support. We express special thanks to C. Andrew Frank (University of Iowa) and Dion Dickman (University of Southern California) for their productive suggestions. Funding. This work was supported by the Israel Science Foundation Grant 384/14 and Israel Science Foundation Grant 174/19. This work was supported by the Israel Science Foundation Grant 384/14 and Israel Science Foundation Grant 174/19.

FundersFunder number
University of Iowa
Israel Science Foundation174/19, 384/14

    Keywords

    • Drosophila melanogaster
    • behavior
    • motivation
    • reward
    • social interaction

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