The full repertoire of Drosophila gustatory receptors for detecting an aversive compound

Jaewon Shim, Youngseok Lee, Yong Taek Jeong, Yonjung Kim, Min Goo Lee, Craig Montell () and Seok Jun Moon ()
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Jaewon Shim: BK21 PLUS Project Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Youngseok Lee: Kookmin University
Yong Taek Jeong: BK21 PLUS Project Yonsei University College of Dentistry
Yonjung Kim: Brain Korea 21 PLUS project for Medical Sciences Yonsei University College of Medicine
Min Goo Lee: Brain Korea 21 PLUS project for Medical Sciences Yonsei University College of Medicine
Craig Montell: Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California
Seok Jun Moon: BK21 PLUS Project Yonsei University College of Dentistry

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The ability to detect toxic compounds in foods is essential for animal survival. However, the minimal subunit composition of gustatory receptors required for sensing aversive chemicals in Drosophila is unknown. Here we report that three gustatory receptors, GR8a, GR66a and GR98b function together in the detection of L-canavanine, a plant-derived insecticide. Ectopic co-expression of Gr8a and Gr98b in Gr66a-expressing, bitter-sensing gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) confers responsiveness to L-canavanine. Furthermore, misexpression of all three Grs enables salt- or sweet-sensing GRNs to respond to L-canavanine. Introduction of these Grs in sweet-sensing GRNs switches L-canavanine from an aversive to an attractive compound. Co-expression of GR8a, GR66a and GR98b in Drosophila S2 cells induces an L-canavanine-activated nonselective cation conductance. We conclude that three GRs collaborate to produce a functional L-canavanine receptor. Thus, our results clarify the full set of GRs underlying the detection of a toxic tastant that drives avoidance behaviour in an insect.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9867

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