The leucokinin pathway and its neurons regulate meal size in Drosophila.

摘要: Background: Total food intake is a function of meal size and frequency, adjustments to these parameters allow animals maintain stable energy balance in changing environmental conditions. The physiological mechanisms that regulate have been studied blowflies but not previously examined Drosophila. Results: Here we show mutations the leucokinin neuropeptide (leuc) receptor (lkr) genes cause phenotypes which Drosophila adults an increase compensatory reduction frequency. Because mutant flies take larger fewer meals, their caloric same as wild-type flies. expression patterns leuc lkr identify small groups brain neurons this behavior. Leuc-containing presynaptic terminals are found close Lkr ventral ganglia, suggesting they deliver Leuc peptide neurons. innervate foregut. Flies or ablated defects identical those pathway mutants. Conclusions: Our data suggest mutants due termination defect, perhaps arising from impaired communication gut distension signals brain. Leucokinin homologous vertebrate tachykinin its receptor, injection tachykinins reduces consumption. Our results roles system regulating might be evolutionarily conserved between insects vertebrates.