title: ppk23-Dependent chemosensory functions contribute to courtship behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Insects utilize diverse families of ion channels to respond to environmental cues and control mating, feeding, and the response to threats. Although degenerin/epithelial sodium channels (DEG/ENaC) represent one of the largest families of ion channels in Drosophila melanogaster, the physiological functions of these proteins are still poorly understood. We found that the DEG/ENaC channel ppk23 is expressed in a subpopulation of sexually dimorphic gustatory-like chemosensory bristles that are distinct from those expressing feeding-related gustatory receptors. Disrupting ppk23 or inhibiting activity of ppk23-expressing neurons did not alter gustatory responses. Instead, blocking ppk23-positive neurons or mutating the ppk23 gene delayed the initiation and reduced the intensity of male courtship. Furthermore, mutations in ppk23 altered the behavioral response of males to the female-specific aphrodisiac pheromone 7(Z), 11(Z)-Heptacosadiene. Together, these data indicate that ppk23 and the cells expressing it play an important role in the peripheral sensory system that determines sexual behavior in Drosophila.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Beika
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: LaMora
authors.forename: Yishan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ben-Shahar
mesh_terms: D000466:Alkadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D003380:Courtship; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C096032:7,11-heptacosadiene; D000466:Alkadienes; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; C573945:PPK23 protein, Drosophila