1080-Sexual Dimorphism in the Drosophila Brain

This article presents a high-resolution single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the adult Drosophila central brain to investigate the molecular foundations of sexual dimorphism. The authors demonstrate that sex-based differences in the brain are not the result of global genetic reprogramming but are instead driven by the transcription factors Doublesex and Fruitless, which tune specific developmental lineages. By linking these molecular profiles to anatomical identities, the study reveals that birth order serves as a vital axis for sexual differentiation. Specifically, sex-biased neuronal survival dictates that female-biased neurons typically emerge early in development, while male-biased neurons appear later. This discovery suggests that male and female brains utilize distinct temporal windows to construct the neural circuits responsible for sex-specific behaviors. Overall, the findings provide a new framework for understanding how evolution leverages developmental timing to diversify the nervous system.

References:

• Allen A M, Neville M C, Nojima T, et al. Differential neuronal survival defines a novel axis of sexual dimorphism in the Drosophila brain[J]. Cell genomics, 2026, 6(3).