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Alcohol-induced aggression in Drosophila.
- Source :
- Addiction Biology; Sep2021, Vol. 26 Issue 5, p1-10, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Alcohol-induced aggression is a destructive and widespread phenomenon associated with violence and sexual assault. However, little is understood concerning its mechanistic origin. We have developed a Drosophila melanogaster model to genetically dissect and understand the phenomenon of sexually dimorphic alcohol-induced aggression. Males with blood alcohol levels of 0.04-mg/ml BAC were less aggressive than alcohol-naive males, but when the BAC had dropped to ~0.015 mg/ml, the alcohol-treated males showed an increase in aggression toward other males. This aggression-promoting treatment is referred to as the post-ethanol aggression (PEA) treatment. Females do not show increased aggression after the same treatment. PEA-treated males also spend less time courting and attempt to copulate earlier than alcohol-naive flies. PEA treatment induces expression of the FruM transcription factor (encoded by a male-specific transcript from the fruitless gene), whereas sedating doses of alcohol reduce FruM expression and reduce male aggression. Transgenic suppression of FruM induction also prevents alcohol-induced aggression. In male flies, alcohol-induced aggression is dependent on the male isoform of the fruitless transcription factor (FruM). Low-dose alcohol induces FruM expression and promotes aggression, whereas higher doses of alcohol suppress FruM and suppress aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13556215
- Volume :
- 26
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Addiction Biology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 151957339
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/adb.13045