Evolution of taste processing shifts dietary preference DOI Creative Commons
Enrico Bertolini, Daniel Münch,

Justine Pascual

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 12, 2024

Abstract Food choice is an important driver of speciation and invasion novel ecological niches. However, we know little about the mechanisms leading to changes in dietary preference. Here, use three closely-related species Drosophila sechellia , D. simulans melanogaster study taste circuit food evolution. sechellia, a host specialist, feeds exclusively on single fruit ( Morinda citrifolia noni) - latter two are generalists living various substrates. Using quantitative feeding assays, recapitulate preference for noni detect conserved sweet but altered bitter sensitivity via calcium imaging peripheral neurons. Noni surprisingly activates sensing neurons more strongly due small deletion one gustatory receptor. volumetric ventral brain, show that instead physiology, species-specific processing sugar signals sensorimotor circuits recapitulates differences Our data support receptor alone cannot explain rather modifications how sensory information transformed into motor commands.

Language: Английский

Structural basis of odor sensing by insect heteromeric odorant receptors DOI
Jiawei Zhao, Andy Quaen Chen, Jae-Wook Ryu

et al.

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 384(6703), P. 1460 - 1467

Published: June 13, 2024

Most insects, including human-targeting mosquitoes, detect odors through odorant-activated ion channel complexes consisting of a divergent odorant-binding subunit (OR) and conserved co-receptor (Orco). As basis for understanding how odorants activate these heteromeric receptors, we report here cryo–electron microscopy structures two different odorant receptor containing ORs from disease-vector mosquitos Aedes aegypti or Anopheles gambiae . These reveal an unexpected stoichiometry one OR to three Orco subunits. Comparison in odorant-bound unbound states indicates that binding the sole is sufficient open pore, suggesting mechanism activation conceptual framework evolution insect sensitivity.

Language: Английский

Citations

28
The molecular basis of sugar detection by an insect taste receptor DOI Creative Commons
J. Gomes, Shivinder Singh-Bhagania, Matthew Cenci

et al.

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 629(8010), P. 228 - 234

Published: March 6, 2024

Abstract Animals crave sugars because of their energy potential and the pleasurable sensation tasting sweetness. Yet all are not metabolically equivalent, requiring mechanisms to detect differentiate between chemically similar sweet substances. Insects use a family ionotropic gustatory receptors discriminate 1 , each which is selectively activated by specific molecules 2–6 . Here, gain insight into molecular basis sugar selectivity, we determined structures Gr9, receptor from silkworm Bombyx mori (BmGr9), in absence presence its sole activating ligand, d -fructose. These structures, along with structure-guided mutagenesis functional assays, illustrate how -fructose enveloped ligand-binding pocket that precisely matches overall shape pattern chemical groups However, our computational docking experimental binding assays revealed other also bind BmGr9, yet they unable activate receptor. We structure BmGr9 complex one such non-activating sugar, l -sorbose. Although both position, only capable engaging bridge two conserved aromatic residues connects pore helix, inducing conformational change allows ion-conducting open. Thus, specificity does depend solely on selectivity pocket, but it an emergent property arising combination receptor–ligand interactions allosteric coupling. Our results support model whereby coarse tuning derived size characteristics whereas fine-tuning activation achieved through selective engagement pathway regulates ion conduction.

Language: Английский

Citations

21
Structural basis of ligand specificity and channel activation in an insect gustatory receptor DOI Creative Commons
Heather M. Frank, Sanket Walujkar, Richard M. Walsh

et al.

Cell Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(4), P. 114035 - 114035

Published: April 1, 2024

Gustatory receptors (GRs) are critical for insect chemosensation and potential targets controlling pests disease vectors, making their structural investigation a vital step toward such applications. We present structures of Bombyx mori Gr9 (BmGr9), fructose-gated cation channel, in agonist-free fructose-bound states. BmGr9 forms tetramer similar to distantly related odorant (ORs). Upon fructose binding, BmGr9's channel gate opens through helix S7b movements. In contrast ORs, ligand-binding pocket, shaped by kinked S4 shorter extracellular S3-S4 loop, is larger solvent accessible both Also, unlike binding involves S5 pocket lined with aromatic polar residues. Structure-based sequence alignments reveal distinct patterns residue conservation GR subfamilies associated different ligand classes. These data provide insight into the molecular basis specificity function.

Language: Английский

Citations

13
Evolution of Sensory Receptors DOI
Wendy A. Valencia‐Montoya, Naomi E. Pierce, Nicholas W. Bellono

et al.

Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 40(1), P. 353 - 379

Published: July 10, 2024

Sensory receptors are at the interface between an organism and its environment thus represent key sites for biological innovation. Here, we survey major sensory receptor families to uncover emerging evolutionary patterns. Receptors touch, temperature, light constitute part of ancestral toolkit animals, often predating evolution multicellularity nervous system. In contrast, chemoreceptors exhibit a dynamic history lineage-specific expansions contractions correlated with disparate complexity chemical environments. A recurring theme includes independent transitions from neurotransmitter diverse stimuli outside world. We then provide overview mechanisms underlying diversification highlight examples where signatures natural selection used identify novel adaptations. Finally, discuss as hotspots driving reproductive isolation speciation, thereby contributing stunning diversity animals.

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Tastant-receptor interactions: insights from the fruit fly DOI

Christian Arntsen,

Jacqueline Guillemin,

Kayla Audette

et al.

Frontiers in Nutrition, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: April 11, 2024

Across species, taste provides important chemical information about potential food sources and the surrounding environment. As details chemicals receptors responsible for gustation are discovered, a complex view of system is emerging with significant contributions from research using fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster , as model organism. In this brief review, we summarize recent advances in their relevance to more broadly. Our goal highlight molecular mechanisms underlying first step gustatory circuits: ligand-receptor interactions primary cells. After an introduction how it encodes canonical modalities sweet, bitter, salty, describe insights into nature carboxylic acid amino detection context sour umami taste, respectively. analysis extends non-canonical including metals, fatty acids, bacterial components, highlights unexpected signaling pathways that have recently been identified Comparing intricate cellular underpinnings ligands detected vivo flies reveals both specific promiscuous receptor selectivity encoding. Throughout compare contextualize these findings mammalian not only emphasize conservation chemosensory systems, but demonstrate power organism elucidating neurobiology feeding.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis reveals the flavor formation mechanism of green bamboo (Dendrocalamopsis oldhami) shoots DOI Creative Commons
Yu Liu, Haitao Xia, Jing Li

et al.

Food Chemistry Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100258 - 100258

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Harnessing Insect Chemosensory and Mechanosensory Receptors Involved in Feeding for Precision Pest Management DOI Creative Commons
Ting‐Wei Mi,

Cheng‐Wang Sheng,

C. Lee

et al.

Life, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1), P. 110 - 110

Published: Jan. 16, 2025

Chemosensation and mechanosensation are vital to insects’ survival behavior, shaping critical physiological processes such as feeding, metabolism, mating, reproduction. During insects rely on diverse chemosensory mechanosensory receptors distinguish between nutritious harmful substances, enabling them select suitable food sources while avoiding toxins. These distributed across various body parts, allowing detect environmental cues about quality adjust their behaviors accordingly. A deeper understanding of insect sensory physiology, especially during not only enhances our knowledge biology but also offers significant opportunities for practical applications. This review highlights recent advancements in research feeding-related receptors, covering a wide range species, from the model organism Drosophila melanogaster agricultural human pests. Additionally, this examines potential targeting precision pest control. Disrupting feeding reproduction emerges promising strategy management. By interfering with these essential behaviors, we can effectively control populations minimizing impacts promoting ecological balance.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Novel inhibitors of the (VIBVN) NAT protein identified through pharmacophore modeling DOI Creative Commons
Su‐Huai Wei,

Xionghao Li,

Ning Hou

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Taste Plasticity in Nutrition and Health: A Scoping Review DOI Open Access
Hayeon Sung,

Elizabeth Heaton,

Monica Dus

et al.

Nutrients, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(8), P. 1336 - 1336

Published: April 12, 2025

Taste sensation is at the intersection of nutrition and health. Our food choices are shaped by foods we like, but our dietary habits can, in turn, influence how sense food. This phenomenon, known as diet-induced taste plasticity, has received renewed attention a tool for designing healthier retraining eating habits. review synthesizes emerging data from humans model organisms to characterize environments shape while exploring its underlying molecular physiological mechanisms. Although there still so much discover about this accumulating evidence suggests an inverse relationship between tastant concentration ability organism respond it. The effects largely depend on diet, body weight changes play role specific settings. Several mechanisms play, including receptor abundance function, neuroendocrine signaling, gene expression, neuroinflammation. Many open questions remain, times exposure manifest consequences Beyond mechanisms, future research should explore strategies leverage adaptation design.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The structure of human sweetness DOI Creative Commons

Zhang Juen,

Zhengyuan Lu, Robert K. Yu

et al.

Cell, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0