Exploring the neural mechanisms of aversion to bitter gourd phytochemicals in insects using Drosophila

Chakraborty, Rusha; Thakur, Tamanna Singh; Chauhan, Riti; Manzar, Zeba; Das, Gaurav; Mitra, Aniruddha

doi:10.1016/j.aspen.2021.06.009

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…For example, a single round of training with bitter compounds yielded aversive memories that were undetectable after a couple of hours ( Keene and Masek 2012 ; Das et al 2014 ). In a recent study ( Chakraborty et al 2021 ) and in this work, we report the formation of a durable aversive compound-reinforced 24-h aversive memory in flies. Here, we saw a significant 24-h aversive memory reinforced by toxic CuSO 4 in Y-mazes ( Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Enhanced olfactory memory detection in trap-design Y-mazes allows the study of imperceptible memory traces in Drosophila

et al. 2022

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The neural basis of behavior is identified by systematically manipulating the activity of specific neurons and screening for loss or gain of phenotype. Therefore, robust, high-scoring behavioral assays are necessary for determining the neural circuits of novel behaviors. We report a simple Y-maze design for Drosophila olfactory learning and memory assay. Memory scores in our Y-mazes are considerably better and longer-lasting than scores obtained with commonly used T-mazes. Our results suggest that trapping flies to an odor choice in a Y-maze could improve scores. We postulated that the improved scores could reveal previously undetectable memory traces, enabling the study of underlying neural mechanisms. Indeed, we identified unreported protein synthesis-dependent long-term memories (LTMs), reinforced by ingestion of (1) an aversive compound and (2) a sweet but nonnutritious sugar, both 24 h after training. We also used Y-mazes to probe how using a greater reward may change memory dynamics. Our findings predict that a greater sugar reward may extend existing memory traces or reinforce additional novel ones.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Enhanced olfactory memory detection in trap-design Y-mazes allows the study of imperceptible memory traces in Drosophila

et al. 2022

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“…For example, multiple antifeedant actions of Calceolaria integrifolia were attributed to inhibition of phenol oxidase, proteinase or tyrosinase, to cuticle synthesis inhibition and to moulting sclerotization toxicity [ 102 ]. Some mechanisms by which compounds from bitter gourd extracts repel insects and alter their physiology were explained in a recent study [ 103 ]. It was found that transgenic flies with impaired aversive taste sensitive neurons exhibited a decreased aversion when exposed to bitter gourd extract, indicating that the bitter-sensitive gustatory neurons depend on these compounds.…”

Section: Botanical Insecticidesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Status and Prospects of Botanical Biopesticides in Europe and Mediterranean Countries

Acheuk

Basiouni

Shehata³

et al. 2022

Biomolecules

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Concerning human and environmental health, safe alternatives to synthetic pesticides are urgently needed. Many of the currently used synthetic pesticides are not authorized for application in organic agriculture. In addition, the developed resistances of various pests against classical pesticides necessitate the urgent demand for efficient and safe products with novel modes of action. Botanical pesticides are assumed to be effective against various crop pests, and they are easily biodegradable and available in high quantities and at a reasonable cost. Many of them may act by diverse yet unexplored mechanisms of action. It is therefore surprising that only few plant species have been developed for commercial usage as biopesticides. This article reviews the status of botanical pesticides, especially in Europe and Mediterranean countries, deepening their active principles and mechanisms of action. Moreover, some constraints and challenges in the development of novel biopesticides are highlighted.

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Enhanced olfactory memory performance in trap-design Y-mazes allows the study of novel memory phenotypes inDrosophila

Mohandasan

Thakare

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The neural basis of behaviour is identified by systematically disrupting the activity of specific neurons and screening for loss in phenotype. High scoring behavioural assays are thus necessary for identifying the neural circuits of novel behaviours. Here, we report the design and use of a Y-maze based classical olfactory learning and memory assay in Drosophila. Appetitive memory scores in our Y-maze are considerably greater and longer-lasting than that from a commonly used T-maze design. We show that testing in the Y-maze is key to the improved scores. We also observed considerable 24-hour aversive taste reinforced memory performance with only one training trial using Y-mazes. This allowed us to determine the protein synthesis dependence of long-lasting aversive taste memories for the first time in flies. The Y-maze assembly will make olfactory conditioning more accessible and it will allow the study of novel memory phenotypes in Drosophila.

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Exploring the neural mechanisms of aversion to bitter gourd phytochemicals in insects using Drosophila

Cited by 3 publications

References 61 publications

Enhanced olfactory memory detection in trap-design Y-mazes allows the study of imperceptible memory traces in Drosophila

Enhanced olfactory memory detection in trap-design Y-mazes allows the study of imperceptible memory traces in Drosophila

Status and Prospects of Botanical Biopesticides in Europe and Mediterranean Countries

Enhanced olfactory memory performance in trap-design Y-mazes allows the study of novel memory phenotypes inDrosophila

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