title: Drosophila Chemoreceptors: A Molecular Interface Between the Chemical World and the Brain.
abstract: Chemoreception is essential for survival. Feeding, mating, and avoidance of predators depend on detection of sensory cues. Drosophila contains diverse families of chemoreceptors that detect odors, tastants, pheromones, and noxious stimuli, including receptors of the odor receptor (Or), gustatory receptor (Gr), ionotropic receptor (IR), Pickpocket (Ppk), and Trp families. We consider recent progress in understanding chemoreception in the fly, including the identification of new receptors, the discovery of novel biological functions for receptors, and the localization of receptors in unexpected places. We discuss major unsolved problems and suggest areas that may be particularly ripe for future discoveries, including the roles of these receptors in driving the circuits and behaviors that are essential to the survival and reproduction of the animal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, PO Box 208103, New Haven, CT 06520-8103, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, PO Box 208103, New Haven, CT 06520-8103, USA. Electronic address: john.carlson@yale.edu.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface
keywords: gustatory receptor; ionotropic glutamate receptor; odor receptor; olfaction; olfactory receptor neuron; taste