Glial metabolism versatility regulates mushroom body–driven behavioral output in Drosophila

Abstract

Providing metabolic support to neurons is now recognized as a major function of glial cells that is conserved from invertebrates to vertebrates. However, research in this field has focused for more than two decades on the relevance of lactate and glial glycolysis for neuronal energy metabolism, while overlooking many other facets of glial metabolism and their impact on neuronal physiology, circuit activity, and behavior. Here, we review recent work that has unveiled new features of glial metabolism, especially in Drosophila, in the modulation of behavioral traits involving the mushroom bodies (MBs). These recent findings reveal that spatially and biochemically distinct modes of glucose-derived neuronal fueling are implemented within the MB in a memory type–specific manner. In addition, cortex glia are endowed with several antioxidant functions, whereas astrocytes can serve as pro-oxidant agents that are beneficial to redox signaling underlying long-term memory. Finally, glial fatty acid oxidation seems to play a dual fail-safe role: first, as a mode of energy production upon glucose shortage, and, second, as a factor underlying the clearance of excessive oxidative load during sleep. Altogether, these integrated studies performed in Drosophila indicate that glial metabolism has a deterministic role on behavior.