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Drosophila divalent metal ion transporter Malvolio is required in dopaminergic neurons for feeding decisions

E Søvik1,2, A LaMora1, G Seehra1

  • 1Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Genes, Brain, and Behavior
|February 22, 2017
PubMed

Insights

The Malvolio (Mvl) transporter is crucial for food choice behavior in insects, specifically within the dopaminergic system. Manganese supplementation can restore normal feeding decisions, highlighting Mvl

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Behavioral Genetics

Background:

  • The natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP) family comprises conserved metal ion transporters vital for cellular divalent cation homeostasis.
  • Malvolio (Mvl), the insect NRAMP ortholog, influences feeding behaviors, but its precise physiological and cellular roles in decision-making are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the specific cellular and physiological mechanisms by which Mvl regulates food choice behavior in insects.
  • To investigate the role of Mvl function within the dopaminergic system in mediating feeding decisions.

Main Methods:

  • Behavioral assays in Drosophila to assess food choice.
  • Genetic manipulation of Mvl expression in specific neuronal populations, particularly dopaminergic neurons.
  • Dietary supplementation experiments with manganese to rescue behavioral deficits.

Main Results:

  • Normal food choice behavior in Drosophila requires Mvl function specifically within the dopaminergic system.
  • Supplementing the diet with manganese rescues the food choice defects observed in Mvl-deficient individuals.
  • Mvl transporter activity influences food choice by regulating dopaminergic innervation of the mushroom bodies, a key insect brain region for decision-making.

Conclusions:

  • Mvl plays a critical role in regulating feeding behavior through its action in the dopaminergic system.
  • Homeostatic regulation of intraneuronal divalent cations by Mvl is essential for the development and function of the dopaminergic system and associated behaviors.
  • These findings link metal ion transport to complex decision-making processes in insects.
Keywords:
D. melanogasterMvlNRAMPSlc11adopaminefood choicefruit flyionomicsmanganesevinegar fly

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