@article {49347,
	title = {MDN brain descending neurons coordinately activate backward and inhibit forward locomotion.},
	journal = {eLife},
	volume = {7},
	year = {2018},
	month = {2018 Aug 02},
	abstract = {<p>Command-like descending neurons can induce many behaviors, such as backward locomotion, escape, feeding, courtship, egg-laying, or grooming (we define {\textquoteright}command-like neuron{\textquoteright} as a neuron whose activation elicits or {\textquoteright}commands{\textquoteright} a specific behavior). In most animals it remains unknown how neural circuits switch between antagonistic behaviors: via top-down activation/inhibition of antagonistic circuits or via reciprocal inhibition between antagonistic circuits. Here we use genetic screens, intersectional genetics, circuit reconstruction by electron microscopy, and functional optogenetics to identify a bilateral pair of larval {\textquoteright}mooncrawler descending neurons{\textquoteright} (MDNs) with command-like ability to coordinately induce backward locomotion and block forward locomotion; the former by stimulating a backward-active premotor neuron, and the latter by disynaptic inhibition of a forward-specific premotor neuron. In contrast, direct monosynaptic reciprocal inhibition between forward and backward circuits was not observed. Thus, MDNs coordinate a transition between antagonistic larval locomotor behaviors. Interestingly, larval MDNs persist into adulthood, where they can trigger backward walking. Thus, MDNs induce backward locomotion in both limbless and limbed animals.</p>
},
	issn = {2050-084X},
	doi = {10.7554/eLife.38554},
	author = {Carreira-Rosario, Arnaldo and Zarin, Aref Arzan and Clark, Matthew Q and Manning, Laurina and Fetter, Richard D and Cardona, Albert and Doe, Chris Q}
}
