Odor mixtures of opposing valence unveil inter-glomerular crosstalk in the Drosophila antennal lobe

Nat Commun. 2019 Mar 13;10(1):1201. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-09069-1.

Abstract

Evaluating odor blends in sensory processing is a crucial step for signal recognition and execution of behavioral decisions. Using behavioral assays and 2-photon imaging, we have characterized the neural and behavioral correlates of mixture perception in the olfactory system of Drosophila. Mixtures of odors with opposing valences elicit strong inhibition in certain attractant-responsive input channels. This inhibition correlates with reduced behavioral attraction. We demonstrate that defined subsets of GABAergic interneurons provide the neuronal substrate of this computation at pre- and postsynaptic loci via GABAB- and GABAA receptors, respectively. Intriguingly, manipulation of single input channels by silencing and optogenetic activation unveils a glomerulus-specific crosstalk between the attractant- and repellent-responsive circuits. This inhibitory interaction biases the behavioral output. Such a form of selective lateral inhibition represents a crucial neuronal mechanism in the processing of conflicting sensory information.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Arthropod Antennae / innervation
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Female
  • GABAergic Neurons / physiology
  • Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Interneurons / physiology
  • Odorants*
  • Olfactory Bulb / physiology*
  • Olfactory Pathways / physiology*
  • Olfactory Perception / physiology*
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons / physiology
  • Optogenetics
  • Receptors, Odorant / genetics
  • Receptors, Odorant / physiology

Substances

  • Receptors, Odorant