Starvation-induced elevation of taste responsiveness and expression of a sugar taste receptor gene in Drosophila melanogaster.
Animals increase their feeding motivation under starved conditions. Here the authors test if the starvation-induced increase of feeding motivation is different among wild-derived strains of Drosophila melanogaster. In behavioral experiments comparing the feeding behaviors of the strains Mel6 and TW1, only TW1 exhibited a decreased feeding threshold to sucrose following a 24-h starvation period. Starved TW1 preferably ingested a low concentration of sucrose. Starved TW1 also exhibited significant elevation of taste responsiveness to low concentrations of sucrose and enhanced expression of the Gr64a sucrose sugar receptor gene. TW1 survived longer than Mel6 when provided a less nutritious food (10 mM sucrose). Thus, the starvation-induced decrease in the behavioral and the sensory thresholds could be an advantage in searching for and utilizing less nutritious foods. These results show that the starvation-induced functional change in the taste sensory system is a possible strategy for survival during starvation or suboptimal nutrient periods.
Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe, Japan.
Azusa
A
Nishimura
Yuko
Y
Ishida
Aya
A
Takahashi
Haruka
H
Okamoto
Marina
M
Sakabe
Masanobu
M
Itoh
Toshiyuki
T
Takano-Shimizu
Mamiko
M
Ozaki
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013217:Starvation / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013400:Sugar Acids; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002241:Carbohydrates; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013400:Sugar Acids; D013549:Sweetening Agents; C405956:gustatory receptor, Drosophila; D013395:Sucrose