Hedgehog-mediated gut-taste neuron axis controls sweet perception in Drosophila

Yunpo Zhao, Mohammed A. Khallaf, Emilia Johansson, Najat Dzaki, Shreelatha Bhat, Johannes Alfredsson, Jianli Duan, Bill S. Hansson, Markus Knaden and Mattias Alenius ()
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Yunpo Zhao: Umeå University
Mohammed A. Khallaf: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Emilia Johansson: Umeå University
Najat Dzaki: Umeå University
Shreelatha Bhat: Umeå University
Johannes Alfredsson: Linköping University
Jianli Duan: Umeå University
Bill S. Hansson: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Markus Knaden: Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
Mattias Alenius: Umeå University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Dietary composition affects food preference in animals. High sugar intake suppresses sweet sensation from insects to humans, but the molecular basis of this suppression is largely unknown. Here, we reveal that sugar intake in Drosophila induces the gut to express and secrete Hedgehog (Hh) into the circulation. We show that the midgut secreted Hh localize to taste sensilla and suppresses sweet sensation, perception, and preference. We further find that the midgut Hh inhibits Hh signalling in the sweet taste neurons. Our electrophysiology studies demonstrate that the midgut Hh signal also suppresses bitter taste and some odour responses, affecting overall food perception and preference. We further show that the level of sugar intake during a critical window early in life, sets the adult gut Hh expression and sugar perception. Our results together reveal a bottom-up feedback mechanism involving a “gut-taste neuron axis” that regulates food sensation and preference.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35527-4

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