Unlocking the Secrets: The Blood-Brain Barrier's Influence on Behavior

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) in carpenter ants plays an active role in shaping ant behavior by producing an enzyme called Juvenile hormone esterase (Jhe) that degrades the Juvenile Hormone (JH3), which influences foraging behavior. Different levels of the Jhe enzyme in the BBB determine whether an ant becomes a forager or a soldier. This discovery suggests that similar mechanisms may influence behavior in other species, including mice. The study highlights the importance of a single protein expressed in the right place at the right time in regulating complex behaviors in social insects and potentially other organisms.