The FoxP family of transcription factors is necessary for operant self-learning, an evolutionary conserved form of motor learning. The expression pattern, molecular function and mechanisms of action of the Drosophila FoxP orthologue remain to be elucidated. By editing the genomic locus of FoxP with CRISPR/Cas9, we find that the three different FoxP isoforms are expressed in neurons, but not in glia and that not all neurons express all isoforms. Furthermore, we detect FoxP expression in, e.g. the protocerebral bridge, the fan-shaped body and in motor neurons, but not in the mushroom bodies. Finally, we discover that FoxP expression during development, but not adulthood, is required for normal locomotion and landmark fixation in walking flies. While FoxP expression in the protocerebral bridge and motor neurons is involved in locomotion and landmark fixation, the FoxP gene can be excised from dorsal cluster neurons and mushroom-body Kenyon cells without affecting these behaviours.

该FoxP家族的转录因子是必要的操作性自我学习，运动学习的进化上保守的形式。果蝇 FoxP直向同源物的表达模式、分子功能和作用机制仍有待阐明。通过使用 CRISPR/Cas9编辑FoxP的基因组位点，我们发现三种不同的FoxP同种型在神经元中表达，但不在神经胶质中表达，并且并非所有神经元都表达所有同种型。此外，我们在例如原脑桥、扇形体和运动神经元中检测到FoxP表达，但不在蘑菇体中检测到FoxP表达。最后，我们发现FoxP在发育过程中表达，但不是成年期，是行走苍蝇的正常运动和地标固定所必需的。虽然原脑桥和运动神经元中的FoxP表达参与了运动和地标固定，但可以从背丛神经元和蘑菇体 Kenyon 细胞中切除FoxP基因，而不会影响这些行为。