Antimicrobial peptides modulate long-term memory

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides act as a host defense mechanism and regulate the commensal microbiome. To obtain a comprehensive view of genes contributing to long-term memory we performed mRNA sequencing from single Drosophila heads following behavioral training that produces long-lasting memory. Surprisingly, we found that Diptericin B, an immune peptide with antimicrobial activity, is upregulated following behavioral training. Deletion and knock down experiments revealed that Diptericin B and another immune peptide, Gram-Negative Bacteria Binding Protein like 3, regulate long-term but not short-term memory or instinctive behavior in Drosophila. Interestingly, removal of DptB in the head fat body and GNBP-like3 in neurons results in memory deficit. That putative antimicrobial peptides influence memory provides an example of how some immune peptides may have been repurposed to influence the function of nervous system.

The neuropeptide Drosulfakinin regulates social isolation-induced aggression inDrosophila

“…Several of these transcripts have been identified in previous studies (Table S3), albeit under different conditions (e.g. courtship, social defeat) ( Barajas-Azpeleta et al, 2018;Carney, 2007;Ellis and Carney, 2011;Mohorianu et al, 2017;Wang et al, 2008) or by different techniques (e.g. microarray, RNA-seq).…”

“…Finally, we would note that new roles have recently been proposed for transcripts annotated as encoding antimicrobial peptides (e.g. Diptericin B, DptB), specifically the modulation of long-term memory (Barajas-Azpeleta et al, 2018). It is possible that some of the transcripts annotated as antimicrobial peptides are instead (or in addition) memory regulators with roles in social behaviors.…”

Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Sleep

“…For instance, an AMP may kill microbes and also attract macrophages to the site of infection (Diamond et al 2009). Recently, AMPs were reported to play an important role in memory formation, with functions in both brain and fat body (Barajas-Azpeleta et al 2018). With NUR, we suggest that the second function is to promote survival by increasing sleep.…”

Trained immunity and perspectives for shrimp aquaculture

“…Induction of enhanced immune response and development of memory against a specific stimuli are based on the past experience and are important for survival (Barajas‐Azpeleta et al 2018). The recent insight in trained immunity has demonstrated that it could have future implications for the development of novel strategies for microbe‐mediated diseases.…”