第1234回生物科学セミナー
Neural basis of strategic action choice during aggressive interactions
朝比奈 健太 Kenta ASAHINA（Assistant Professor Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory The Helen McLoraine Developmental Chair in Neurobiology）
2018年08月02日(木) 13:30-15:00 理学部2号館 講堂
Game theory predicts that animals adapt "evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS)" to maximize fitness during conflict. Such strategy requires both escalation and retreat in response to opponents' behaviors. Aggressive interactions in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) show at least elements of strategies, but its genetic and neuronal basis, especially regarding retreat (or suppression of escalation), is poorly characterized. Through a forward genetic screening, we found a gene called nervy serves as a suppressor of aggressive escalation. The mutation of nervy abnormally increases aggression, while its over-expression in neurons decreases aggression. Although nervy is widely expressed in the nervous system, its function in octopaminergic/tyraminergic neurons is essential for the regulation of aggressive behavior. Characterization of the molecular function of nervy can shed light on the neural mechanism by which animals implement suitable behavioral strategy to resolve conflicts.
