title: Nutrient Sensor in the Brain Directs the Action of the Brain-Gut Axis in Drosophila.
abstract: Animals can detect and consume nutritive sugars without the influence of taste. However, the identity of the taste-independent nutrient sensor and the mechanism by which animals respond to the nutritional value of sugar are unclear. Here, we report that six neurosecretory cells in the Drosophila brain that produce Diuretic hormone 44 (Dh44), a homolog of the mammalian corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), were specifically activated by nutritive sugars. Flies in which the activity of these neurons or the expression of Dh44 was disrupted failed to select nutritive sugars. Manipulation of the function of Dh44 receptors had a similar effect. Notably, artificial activation of Dh44 receptor-1 neurons resulted in proboscis extensions and frequent episodes of excretion. Conversely, reduced Dh44 activity led to decreased excretion. Together, these actions facilitate ingestion and digestion of nutritive foods. We propose that the Dh44 system directs the detection and consumption of nutritive sugars through a positive feedback loop.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dus
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Jason Sih-Yu
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gunapala
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Soohong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Division of Biology 156-29, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Tayler
authors.affiliation: Division of Biology 156-29, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hergarden
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Eliot
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Geraud
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. Electronic address: greg.suh@med.nyu.edu.
authors.forename: Greg S B
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005632:Fructose / Q000494:pharmacology; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009489:Neurosecretion / Q000187:drug effects; D064427:Nutritive Sweeteners / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014199:Trehalose / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C480120:Dh44 protein, Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007301:Insect Hormones; D064427:Nutritive Sweeteners; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C545615:diuretic hormone 44 receptor 1, Drosophila; C545616:diuretic hormone 44 receptor 2, Drosophila; D005632:Fructose; D014199:Trehalose; D005947:Glucose