A rapid genome-wide response to Drosophila melanogaster social interactions

Abstract

Background: The actions and reactions integral to mate recognition and reproduction are examples of multifaceted behaviors for which we are only beginning to comprehend the underlying genetic and molecular complexity. I hypothesized that social interactions, such as those involved in reproductive behaviors, would lead to immediate and assayable changes in gene expression. Such changes may have important effects on individual reproductive success and fitness through alterations in physiology or via short-term or long-term changes in nervous system function.

Socially-Responsive Gene Expression in MaleDrosophila melanogasterIs Influenced by the Sex of the Interacting Partner

“…Changes in male gene expression during social interactions with females or males: Within 5 min of male-to-female social interactions, whole-animal transcript profiles are altered in courting males, and there is a differential response to conspecific compared to heterospecific females (Carney 2007;Ellis and Carney 2009). Next, we focused solely on male-head gene expression in response to courtship since the head contains the brain as well as other tissues and sensory organs that impact behavioral and physiological responses to sensory inputs.…”

“…We used an isogenized wild-type Canton-S (CS) strain and handled flies similarly to Carney (2007) except that the females' genitals were electrically cauterized to prevent mating (non-mateable females). Twenty or fewer virgin isogenic CS males were aged collectively for 3 days, and #20 virgin isogenic CS females were aged collectively for 3 days.…”

“…Adding to the complexity of this process are the effects from the organism's genetics and environment, including social interactions, on behavior, brain morphology, and gene expression (Siegel and Hall 1979;Levine et al 2002;Shen et al 2004;Stewart and McLean 2004;Burmeister et al 2005;Kozorovitskiy et al 2006;Yurkovic et al 2006;Carney 2007;Technau 2007;Ellis and Carney 2009).…”

“…In songbirds, 33 genes are regulated by singing behavior, including loci involved in signal transduction and synaptic signaling (Wada et al 2006), and a variety of social environments and stimuli impact honeybee brain gene expression (Grozinger et al 2003;Whitfield et al 2003Whitfield et al , 2006Sen Sarma et al 2009). Similarly, male Drosophila melanogaster show rapid changes in transcript levels due to social interactions with females (Carney 2007;Ellis and Carney 2009). However, we do not know if these are specific responses to females or more general responses to interacting with a second individual.…”

“…In males, interacting with a second individual causes rapid expression-level changes detectable in whole animals (Carney 2007;Ellis and Carney 2009). These rapid responses are likely mediated by signaling in the nervous system, sensory organs, and other tissues that affect neural physiology.…”