Visceral Mechano-sensing Neurons Control Drosophila Feeding by Using Piezo as a Sensor

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Animal Behavior
• Physiology

Background:

• Animal feeding behavior is regulated by both external sensory inputs and internal metabolic signals.
• The role of enteric neurons in sensing digestive tract fullness and influencing feeding remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether enteric neurons sensing mechanical cues contribute to signaling digestive tract fullness.
• To identify the neural mechanisms underlying the regulation of food intake and satiety in Drosophila.

Main Methods:

• Identification and characterization of Piezo-expressing neurons innervating the Drosophila crop.
• Genetic manipulation (knockdown and expression) of Piezo in specific neuronal populations.
• Phenotypic analysis of feeding behavior, including food overconsumption.
• Electrophysiological recordings to assess neuronal activation by crop distension.

Main Results:

• A subset of Piezo-expressing neurons in the pars intercerebralis (PI) were identified to monitor crop volume.
• These PI neurons express insulin-like peptides, known regulators of feeding and metabolism.
• Piezo knockdown in these neurons led to food overconsumption, mimicking piezo-null mutants.
• Re-expression of Piezo in these neurons of mutants rescued the overconsumption phenotype.
• Piezo+ neurons in the PI are directly activated by crop distension, signaling satiety.

Conclusions:

• Enteric neurons expressing Piezo in the Drosophila PI play a crucial role in sensing crop distension and preventing overconsumption.
• These neurons act as a critical link in the brain-gut axis, rapidly conveying satiety signals to regulate feeding behavior.