Drosophila gustatory preference behaviors require the atypical soluble guanylyl cyclases

Abstract

The intracellular messenger cGMP has been suggested to play a role in taste signal transduction in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In the present study, we have examined the role of the Drosophila atypical soluble guanylyl cyclases (sGCs), Gyc-89Da and Gyc-89Db, in larval and adult gustatory preference behaviors. We showed that in larvae, sucrose attraction requires Gyc-89Db and caffeine avoidance requires Gyc-89Da. In adult flies, sucrose attraction is unaffected by mutations in either gene whereas avoidance of low concentrations of caffeine is eliminated by loss of either gene. Similar defective behaviors were observed when cGMP increases were prevented by the expression of a cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase. We also showed that both genes were expressed in gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) in larval and adult gustatory organs, primarily in a non-overlapping pattern, with the exception of a small group of cells in the adult labellum. In addition, in adults, several cells co-expressed the bitter taste receptor, Gr66a, with either Gyc-89Da or Gyc-89Db. We also showed that the electrophysiological responses of a GRN to caffeine were significantly reduced in flies mutant for the atypical sGCs, suggesting that at least part of the adult behavioral defects were due to a reduced ability to detect caffeine.

Extensive local adaptation within the chemosensory system following Drosophila melanogaster’s global expansion

“…Interestingly, the ‘adenylate and guanylate cyclase' family, which has the highest α value (0.59, 0.43:0.71; log likelihood ratio test: P <<0.01; Fig. 2b ), includes genes implicated in behavioural responses to gustatory stimuli and hypoxia 35 .…”

Regulation of blood cell transdifferentiation by oxygen sensing neurons

“…4 B). With their exposed nature, these sensory neurons may also integrate other inputs from the environment (Stewart et al, 2015;Vermehren-Schmaedick et al, 2011;Xiang et al, 2010) when communicating to their targets.…”

Taste Sensation inDrosophila melanoganster

“…Each chemical activates spe- sitive Gr5a-positive GRNs [51,52]. Another cyclase gene such as soluble guanylyl cyclase, Gyc-89Da is found to take part in signal transduction of sucrose in both the larval and adult stages [53]. Similarly Gyc-89Db mediate caffeine sensation [53].…”

“…Another cyclase gene such as soluble guanylyl cyclase, Gyc-89Da is found to take part in signal transduction of sucrose in both the larval and adult stages [53]. Similarly Gyc-89Db mediate caffeine sensation [53]. are involved in male-to-male suppression and male-to-female attraction during Drosophila courtship [54,55].…”