Sex-Specific and State-Dependent Neuromodulation Regulates Male and Female Locomotion and Sexual Behaviors.

Abstract

Males and females display dimorphic behaviors that often involve sex-specific locomotor patterns. How the sexually dimorphic locomotion is mediated is poorly understood. In this study, we identify a neuropeptide that oppositely regulates locomotion for efficient sexual behaviors in Drosophila males and females. We find that males are less active than females if isolated. However, when sexually aroused through activating homologous but sexually dimorphic pC1 neurons, males exhibit higher activity levels than females. We discover diuretic hormone 44 (DH44) that functions in pC1 neurons in a sex-specific way to inhibit male locomotion and promote female locomotion. Surprisingly, DH44 exerts opposite effects in sexually aroused flies to promote male locomotion and suppress female locomotion, which is crucial for successful male courtship and female receptivity. These findings demonstrate sexually dimorphic and state-dependent control of locomotor activity by pC1 neuronal activity and DH44 modulation.