Genetic control of changes in locomotor activity caused by social experience in Drosophilamales

Abstract

Abstract Social experience (housing in an unisexual group) modifies locomotor activity in Drosophila. In females, suppression of locomotion occurs only when flies are in aggregations [1], but males retain a lowered level of locomotor activity up to 5 days after their separation from a group [2]. The mechanism by which social experience (housing in a group) affects locomotor activity in Drosophila males is yet unknown. To study the genetic control and clarify the mechanisms of behavioral changes resulting from social experience, we have tested the locomotor activity modifications in various mutants, including those with impaired learning and memory, circadian rhythms, some biochemical pathways, and sensory systems. The results of the present study show that these changes do not seem to be based on the learning and memory mechanisms. The biogenic amines (dopamine and octopamine) seems to play a principal role in the changes in locomotor activity caused by social experience. Also, the dependence of this behavioral modification on olfactory perception was shown. This implies the possible participation of pheromones, which should be verified in future research. Also, with the same aim, we have performed the screening of our collection of mutants carrying random autosomal insertions of PdLtransposon. Five candidate genes presumably playing a role in behavioral modifications resulting from social experience were revealed (Dek, Hel89B, RpL41, CG11791 and NaCP60E). The results imply a possible role for epigenetic regulation of gene expression in the modification of locomotor behavior caused by social experience.