title: GABAA receptor-expressing neurons promote consumption in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Feeding decisions are highly plastic and bidirectionally regulated by neurons that either promote or inhibit feeding. In Drosophila melanogaster, recent studies have identified four GABAergic interneurons that act as critical brakes to prevent incessant feeding. These GABAergic neurons may inhibit target neurons that drive consumption. Here, we tested this hypothesis by examining GABA receptors and neurons that promote consumption. We find that Resistance to dieldrin (RDL), a GABAA type receptor, is required for proper control of ingestion. Knockdown of Rdl in a subset of neurons causes overconsumption of tastants. Acute activation of these neurons is sufficient to drive consumption of appetitive substances and non-appetitive substances and acute silencing of these neurons decreases consumption. Taken together, these studies identify GABAA receptor-expressing neurons that promote Drosophila ingestive behavior and provide insight into feeding regulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Samantha K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America.|Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3150-7210
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004026:Dieldrin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D059330:GABAergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D004026:Dieldrin