Abstract

Drosophila s-LNv clock neurons promote nighttime sleep by releasing the neuropeptide sNPF to activate sNPF receptors (sNPF-Rs) on l-LNv clock neurons. Behavior is controlled by synaptic transmission, but s-LNv and l-LNv neurons are not connected directly by chemical synapses. To investigate the basis of sNPF/sNPF-R communication between LNv neurons, the spread of sNPF was imaged in the adult brain. We report the daily midmorning burst of sNPF released from s-LNv terminals does not reach l-LNv neurons or s-LNv somata. Instead, sNPF released by the s-LNv soma late at night in response to sleep-promoting IP3 signaling reaches l-LNv somata, but not their terminals. In addition to communication by neuropeptide diffusion, analysis of fly connectomes revealed that adult s-LNv and l-LNv neurons form non-synaptic direct contacts mediated by cytonemes. Remarkably, genetically perturbing LNv neuron cytonemes alters sleep latency, but not nighttime sleep, the target of somatic sNPF release, or circadian behavior, which depends on PDF neuropeptide released by LNv terminals. Therefore, three distinct aspects of adult rhythmic behavior are produced by terminals, the soma and cytonemes, with the latter possibly acting via contacts that are not currently annotated in the connectome.