Peng, D., Zheng, L., Liu, D., Han, C., Wang, X., Yang, Y., Song, L., Zhao, M., Wei, Y., Li, J., Ye, X., Wei, Y., Feng, Z., Huang, X., Chen, M., Gou, Y., Xue, Y., Zhang, L. (2024). Large-language models facilitate discovery of the molecular signatures regulating sleep and activity.  Nat. Commun. 15(1): 3685.

FBrf0259412

Research paper

Sleep, locomotor and social activities are essential animal behaviors, but their reciprocal relationships and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we elicit information from a cutting-edge large-language model (LLM), generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) 3.5, which interprets 10.2-13.8% of Drosophila genes known to regulate the 3 behaviors. We develop an instrument for simultaneous video tracking of multiple moving objects, and conduct a genome-wide screen. We have identified 758 fly genes that regulate sleep and activities, including mre11 which regulates sleep only in the presence of conspecifics, and NELF-B which regulates sleep regardless of whether conspecifics are present. Based on LLM-reasoning, an educated signal web is modeled for understanding of potential relationships between its components, presenting comprehensive molecular signatures that control sleep, locomotor and social activities. This LLM-aided strategy may also be helpful for addressing other complex scientific questions.

PMC11063160 (PMC) (EuropePMC)