Octopamine signals coordinate the spatial pattern of presynaptic machineries in the Drosophila mushroom bodies
Neurons possess numerous synaptic terminals. Presynaptic structures in a single motor neuron exhibit heterogeneity that associated with distinct characters of synaptic vesicle release. However, such heterogeneity is scarcely reported in the central nervous system, and its regulatory mechanism remain unknown. Here, we explored the intracellular diversity of presynaptic structures within the Kenyon cells of the Drosophila mushroom bodies. Applying the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated split-GFP tagging, we devised cell-type specific fluorescent labeling of the endogenous active zone scaffold protein, Bruchpilot (Brp). Morphometry of individual Brp clusters revealed heterogenous accumulations among the axon terminal compartments. Mechanistically, the localized octopaminergic signaling along Kenyon cell terminals regulate the Brp heterogeneity via Oct{beta}2R and cAMP signaling. We further found that acute food deprivation reduced the compartmental heterogeneity of Brp accumulation in an octopaminergic signaling-dependent manner. These findings are consistent with the mushroom body functions in integrating the signals of changing physiological states.