Olfactory Senses Modulate Food Consumption and Physiology in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Both sensory and metabolic processes guide food intake. Olfactory inputs help coordinate food appreciation and selection, but their role in food consumption and post-feeding physiology remains poorly understood. In this study, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system, we investigated the effects of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) on food consumption, metabolism, and stress responses. We found that dysfunction of OSNs affects diverse processes, including decreased food consumption, increased triacylglycerol level, enhanced stress resistance to starvation or desiccation, and decreased cold resistance. Decreased neuropeptide F receptor (NPFR) level or increased insulin activity in OSNs inhibited food consumption, while impaired NPF signaling or insulin signaling in OSNs increased resistance to starvation and desiccation. These studies provide insights into the function of the olfactory system in control of feeding behaviors and physiology.

Olfactory basis for essential amino acid perception during foraging in Caenorhabditis elegans

“…The presence of Ehrlich degradation pathway in specific microbes and many insect attracting plants underscores the importance of odors in mediating interkingdom interactions. IAA, in combination with other odors, has been reported to attract Drosophila melanogaster and help in establishing a fly-fruit-yeast relationship [68][69][70][71][72][73][74] . Why do animals need BCAA?…”

Modified Capillary Feeder assay using micro-tips to measure real-time feeding in Drosophila

“…As hunger can initiate multiple downstream signaling processes based on nutritional conditions like sensory perception etc., inducing hunger may change the signaling process involved in feeding. 9 , 10 The result of such an experiment is always bound to be a hunger induced feeding assay. Further, the flies start defecating ingested food post 30 min of feeding and thus this assay cannot be used to understand long term feeding behaviors.…”

“…It is previously shown that flies prefer alcohol-laced food. 9 To test 2-choice feeding we used Canton S flies tested for 20% alcohol along with 0.1M sucrose solution (green color solution) and 0.1M sucrose solution without alcohol (red color solution). As we are measuring food preferences, some flies may choose both the available choices and to recognize this we need to use colors such that the secondary color may be easily visualized.…”