Mechanistic properties of circadian rhythms and sleep are conserved between insects and mammals. In both
taxonomic groups, brain astrocytes cooperate with neurons to modulate sleep and circadian behavior 1-7.
However, neither the astrocyte subtypes regulating rhythmicity nor mechanisms for reciprocal communication
with neurons are well understood. In this application, we propose to address these important gaps in our
understanding of reciprocal astrocyte-neuron communication and how it influences sleep and activity rhythms.
To begin to define relevant mechanisms, we have employed Drosophila enhancer-Gal4 transgenic strains with
expression in specific astrocyte subpopulations to conditionally manipulate adult fly astrocytes to identify
subpopulations that modulate sleep or circadian behavior. Preliminary results for this application demonstrate
that activation or inhibition of different astrocyte subpopulations can alter circadian activity cycles and sleep,
with selective effects on nighttime sleep. The observation that fly astrocytes exert modulatory effects primarily
in the night is similar to the nighttime role of mammalian astrocytes in regulating circadian behavior 3. It also
highlights the importance of this cell class in regulating deep and homeostatically-controlled sleep, which
occurs predominantly in the night 8. Our proposal will test specific hypotheses concerning communication
between astrocytes and neurons with an emphasis on understanding how such communication modulates
sleep and activity cycles. Aim 1 of this application will employ methods to activate or inhibit astrocytes to test
the hypothesis that distinct astrocyte subpopulations and particular signaling molecules modulate specific
properties of sleep and circadian behavior. This aim will also utilize genetic methods to visualize connections
between astrocyte and neuronal processes to identify potentially communicating cell types. Aim 2 will employ
genetic cell activation techniques in live brains together with genetic reporters of neural excitation and second
messenger signaling to define mechanisms of reciprocal communication between specific astrocyte
subpopulations and neurons regulating sleep or circadian rhythms. This aim will test hypotheses about roles
for specific astrocyte signaling molecules in regulating the physiology of the relevant neuron classes. Aim 3 will
utilize genome-wide transcriptome profiling methods and behavioral protocols to identify intracellular pathways
and signaling molecules required for normal sleep or circadian behavior.
Given the conservation of molecular and neuronal mechanisms controlling sleep and circadian behavior in flies
and humans, our proposed studies have relevance for understanding roles of neuron-glia communication in
neural development, normal brain function, and the behavioral/neurological diseases that are known to result
from abnormal neuron-glia communication 9,10.