Pharyngeal mechanosensory neurons control food swallow in Drosophila melanogaster
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: As the first step of food ingestion, the swallow is under rigorous sensorimotor control. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying swallow control at a molecular and circuitry level remain largely unknown. Here, we find that mutation of the mechanotransduction channel genes nompC, Tmc , or piezo impairs the regular pumping rhythm of the cibarium during feeding of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster . A group of multi-dendritic mechanosensory neurons, which co-express the three channels, wrap the cibarium and are crucial for coordinating the filling and emptying of the cibarium. Inhibition of them causes difficulty in food emptying in the cibarium, while their activation leads to difficulty in cibarium filling. Synaptic and functional connections are detected between the pharyngeal mechanosensory neurons and the motor circuit that controls swallow. This study elucidates the role of mechanosensation in swallow, and provides insights for a better understanding of the neural basis of food swallow. Highlights nompC + , piezo + and Tmc + neurons in the pharynx sense mechanical force during swallowing Pharyngeal mechanoreceptor neurons regulate swallow rhythm Dysfunction of pharyngeal mechanosensory neurons causes dysphagia Pharyngeal mechanosensory neurons connect with brain motor neurons to coordinate swallow pattern
Source: eLife
Authors: Jierui Qin, Tingting Yang, Kexin Li, Ting Liu, Wei Zhang
Institutions: Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
Awards: G2566774924, G5633449408
OpenAlex ID: W4404996866