Dopamine regulation of sleep and arousal

Sleep, wakefulness, and arousal regulate key behavioral and physiological processes and are critical for the survival of an organism. Sleep is a quiescent state and prevents animals from engaging in other goal-directed behaviors like feeding, mating, and escaping predators. An understanding of how these behaviors are coregulated will help treat and manage sleep and eating disorders. Here we will combine the unique cell-specific neurogenetic manipulability of the Drosophila model system with an array of behavioral and novel neurophysiological approaches to investigate the role of mushroom body inputs specifically dopamine and octopamine in linking wakefulness to hunger-induced arousal and sleep suppression. In pursuit of identifying and characterizing aminergic regulation of sleep control networks in Drosophila, we have proposed three specific aims. In Aim 1, we will identify how protein hunger is encoded in the dopamine neurons that innervate the sleep and wake-promoting microcircuits of the mushroom body. In Aim 2, we will map connectivity between hunger-sensitive dopamine neurons and downstream sleep-regulating Kenyon cells and output neurons. Finally, in Aim 3 we will test if altered nutrient signaling influences the sleep-regulating octopamine neurons' activity. This supplement seeks funds to support Mr. Martin Reyes, a first-generation, low- income, Latinx U.S. citizen to investigate how sleep and feeding are co-regulated in the fly brain combining an array of genetic, behavioral, and physiological approaches. In addition to gaining training and experience in multiple neuroscience techniques, Martin will develop writing/oral presentation skills and networking skills directly related to the research project and receive extensive support in planning and submitting competitive applications for Ph.D. and MD/Ph.D. programs. These funds will facilitate Martin Reyes’s transition from an undergraduate student to a postbaccalaureate trainee and enable him to take on a leadership role on the project. The research training and professional development during the 1-year period will be highly individualized and tailored to leverage the existing strengths of the candidate. In pursuit of these goals, we propose a training plan that will foster Martin’s technical, intellectual, and career development and help him transition, persist and thrive in Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. programs.