Feeding regulation in Drosophila

Abstract

Neuromodulators play a key role in adjusting animal behavior based on environmental cues and internal needs. Here, we review the regulation of Drosophila feeding behavior to illustrate how neuromodulators achieve behavioral plasticity. Recent studies have made rapid progress in determining molecular and cellular mechanisms that translate the metabolic needs of the fly into changes in neuroendocrine and neuromodulatory states. These neuromodulators in turn promote or inhibit discrete feeding behavioral subprograms. This review highlights the links between physiological needs, neuromodulatory states, and feeding decisions.

A Dopamine-Modulated Neural Circuit Regulating Aversive Taste Memory in Drosophila

“…Primary taste neurons project to distinct regions of the subesophageal zone (SEZ) depending on the peripheral locations of the sensory dendrites as well as on the particular Gr they express [17, 21]. The SEZ then transmits taste signals to higher order brain structures that regulate feeding choice and conditioned taste memory [2, 22]. The mushroom body (MB) comprises a central brain neuropil consisting of ~2200 intrinsic and extrinsic neurons that are required for many types of fly memories, including gustatory memory [23–25].…”

“…The mushroom body (MB) comprises a central brain neuropil consisting of ~2200 intrinsic and extrinsic neurons that are required for many types of fly memories, including gustatory memory [23–25]. The MBs are required for aversive taste memory, but the neural circuitry through which the MBs receive and transmit information during taste conditioning has not been identified [8, 22]. …”

Circulating glucose levels inversely correlate with Drosophila larval feeding through insulin signaling and SLC5A11

“…To ensure energy homeostasis, a host of mechanisms, many of which are conserved, have been deployed 38,44–48 . Carbohydrates, such as glucose, are a key source of energy for cells and organisms, and also have important signaling roles 7,38,43,46,47 .…”

Behavioral Switch of Food Preference upon Sugar Deficiency Is Regulated by GPCRs in Drosophila

“…Different from protein food, sugar is the main energy source, and sugar deficiency severely affects animal survival (Lee et al, 2008). However, whether animals adopt a strategy of fast food preference switch upon sugar deprivation had not been investigated, and the neural mechanisms underlying this behavior regulation remain poorly understood.To maintain nutritional homeostasis, flies develop delicate mechanisms to regulate feeding behavior, in which internal nutritional sensors covert the nutrient information to changes in neuromodulators, promoting or inhibiting feeding (Itskov and Ribeiro, 2013;Pool and Scott, 2014) …”

“…To maintain nutritional homeostasis, flies develop delicate mechanisms to regulate feeding behavior, in which internal nutritional sensors covert the nutrient information to changes in neuromodulators, promoting or inhibiting feeding (Itskov and Ribeiro, 2013;Pool and Scott, 2014)…”