Cell
Volume 151, Issue 5, 21 November 2012, Pages 1113-1125
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Article
A Fructose Receptor Functions as a Nutrient Sensor in the Drosophila Brain

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Summary

Internal nutrient sensors play important roles in feeding behavior, yet their molecular structure and mechanism of action are poorly understood. Using Ca2+ imaging and behavioral assays, we show that the gustatory receptor 43a (Gr43a) functions as a narrowly tuned fructose receptor in taste neurons. Remarkably, Gr43a also functions as a fructose receptor in the brain. Interestingly, hemolymph fructose levels are tightly linked to feeding status: after nutritious carbohydrate consumption, fructose levels rise several fold and reach a concentration sufficient to activate Gr43a in the brain. By using different feeding paradigms and artificial activation of Gr43a-expressing brain neurons, we show that Gr43a is both necessary and sufficient to sense hemolymph fructose and promote feeding in hungry flies but suppress feeding in satiated flies. Thus, our studies indicate that the Gr43a-expressing brain neurons function as a nutrient sensor for hemolymph fructose and assign opposing valence to feeding experiences in a satiation-dependent manner.

Highlights

► Gr43a is a fructose receptor expressed in the Drosophila brain ► Circulatory fructose rises several fold after a sugar meal ► Gr43a in the brain functions as a nutrient sensor ► Gr43a expressing brain neurons regulate feeding in a satiation-dependent manner

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Dedicated to the memory of Isabel Sofia Sitcheran Amrein

2

Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA

3

Present address: Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing), 35 Yu’an Road, Shunyi District, Beijing, PR China, 101312