Circadian Rhythms in Drosophila: From the Core Clock to Complex Behaviors

Abstract

If nuclear receptors are key components of the mammalian molecular clock, their role in the Drosophila circadian rhythms remained poorly understood. In this thesis, I first focused on the nuclear receptor E75, which appeared to be a crucial modulator for the fly molecular clock. I then focused on a non-circadian neuronal structure of the Drosophila’s brain called the Mushroom Body. Despite not expressing the molecular clock itself, this center modulates numerous complex circadian behaviors. Circadian RNA-seq analysis of this structure revealed key genes involved in sleep regulation.