A subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.

Octopamine regulates feeding behavioral responses in Drosophila melanogaster, however the molecular and circuit mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the role of a subset of octopaminergic neurons, the OA-VPM4 cluster, in sucrose acceptance behavior. Thermogenetic activati...

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Main Authors: Hyesoo Youn, Colleen Kirkhart, Justine Chia, Kristin Scott
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2018-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198362
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author Hyesoo Youn
Colleen Kirkhart
Justine Chia
Kristin Scott
author_facet Hyesoo Youn
Colleen Kirkhart
Justine Chia
Kristin Scott
author_sort Hyesoo Youn
collection DOAJ
description Octopamine regulates feeding behavioral responses in Drosophila melanogaster, however the molecular and circuit mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the role of a subset of octopaminergic neurons, the OA-VPM4 cluster, in sucrose acceptance behavior. Thermogenetic activation of Gal4 lines containing OA-VPM4 promoted proboscis extension to sucrose, while optogenetic inactivation reduced extension. Anatomically, the presynaptic terminals of OA-VPM4 are in close proximity to the axons of sugar-responsive gustatory sensory neurons. Moreover, RNAi knockdown of a specific class of octopamine receptor, OAMB, selectively in sugar-sensing gustatory neurons decreased the behavioral response to sucrose. By calcium imaging experiments, we found that application of octopamine potentiates sensory responses to sucrose in satiated flies. Taken together, these findings suggest a model by which OA-VPM4 promotes feeding behavior by modulating the activity of sensory neurons.
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spelling doaj-art-fecc82af878d4e0096917aec265e5e6a2025-08-20T02:03:52ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032018-01-01136e019836210.1371/journal.pone.0198362A subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.Hyesoo YounColleen KirkhartJustine ChiaKristin ScottOctopamine regulates feeding behavioral responses in Drosophila melanogaster, however the molecular and circuit mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the role of a subset of octopaminergic neurons, the OA-VPM4 cluster, in sucrose acceptance behavior. Thermogenetic activation of Gal4 lines containing OA-VPM4 promoted proboscis extension to sucrose, while optogenetic inactivation reduced extension. Anatomically, the presynaptic terminals of OA-VPM4 are in close proximity to the axons of sugar-responsive gustatory sensory neurons. Moreover, RNAi knockdown of a specific class of octopamine receptor, OAMB, selectively in sugar-sensing gustatory neurons decreased the behavioral response to sucrose. By calcium imaging experiments, we found that application of octopamine potentiates sensory responses to sucrose in satiated flies. Taken together, these findings suggest a model by which OA-VPM4 promotes feeding behavior by modulating the activity of sensory neurons.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198362
spellingShingle Hyesoo Youn
Colleen Kirkhart
Justine Chia
Kristin Scott
A subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.
PLoS ONE
title A subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.
title_full A subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.
title_fullStr A subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.
title_full_unstemmed A subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.
title_short A subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in Drosophila melanogaster.
title_sort subset of octopaminergic neurons that promotes feeding initiation in drosophila melanogaster
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198362
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