title: Motor neurons controlling fluid ingestion in Drosophila.
abstract: Rhythmic motor behaviors such as feeding are driven by neural networks that can be modulated by external stimuli and internal states. In Drosophila, ingestion is accomplished by a pump that draws fluid into the esophagus. Here we examine how pumping is regulated and characterize motor neurons innervating the pump. Frequency of pumping is not affected by sucrose concentration or hunger but is altered by fluid viscosity. Inactivating motor neurons disrupts pumping and ingestion, whereas activating them elicits arrhythmic pumping. These motor neurons respond to taste stimuli and show prolonged activity to palatable substances. This work describes an important component of the neural circuit for feeding in Drosophila and is a step toward understanding the rhythmic activity producing ingestion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manzo
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silies
authors.forename: Daryl M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gohl
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007473:Ion Channels; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007473:Ion Channels; D000074025:TRPA1 Cation Channel; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels; C475684:TrpA1 protein, Drosophila; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D013395:Sucrose