Open AccessThe neuropeptide allatostatin C from clock-associated DN1p neurons generates the circadian rhythm for oogenesis
Author(s) -
Chen Zhang,
Ivana Daubnerová,
Yong-Hoon Jang,
Shu Kondo,
Dušan Žitňan,
Young-Joon Kim
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2016878118
Subject(s) - biology , drosophila melanogaster , circadian rhythm , circadian clock , neuropeptide , juvenile hormone , deuterostome , oogenesis , neuroscience , endocrinology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , hormone , genetics , oocyte , vertebrate , gene , embryo , receptor
Significance Metazoan species optimize the timing of reproduction to maximize fitness. To understand how biological clocks direct reproduction, we investigated the neural substrates that produce oogenesis rhythms in the genetically amenable model organismDrosophila melanogaster . The neuropeptide allatostatin C (AstC) is an insect counterpart of the vertebrate neuropeptide somatostatin, which suppresses gonadotropin production. A subset of the brain circadian pacemaker neurons produces AstC. We have uncovered that these clock-associated AstC neurons generate the circadian oogenesis rhythm via brain insulin-producing cells and the insect gonadotropin juvenile hormone. Identification of a conserved neuropeptide pathway that links female reproduction and the biological clock offers insight into the molecular mechanisms that direct reproductive timing.