Nutrient regulation of food perception in Drosophila

Decades of ecology research demonstrate that most animals balance inadequate food sources with changed food choices and overconsumption.

Detailed lab studies show that diet composition changes food preferences in all animals but how it does so is still poorly understood.

We have recently discovered that sugar and fat intake induce signals that control taste perception and that change food preference, demonstrating a mechanism for how generalist feeders change food intake to balance nutrient intake.

To systematically address how different diet components regulates food preference, we propose to combine Drosophila genetics and behaviour studies with metabolomics and RNA-seq.

The work plan is to use the large Drosophila molecular genetics and behaviour toolbox, to identify the nutrient induced signal molecules that regulate the taste and olfaction output to the brain and food preference. We will determine the mechanisms that cross regulate the nutrient signals pathways and define the taste neurons output.

We will identify the nutrient induced gene regulatory mechanisms that remember prior nutrient intake and regulate food choice. Finally, metabolomics and lipidomic will determine the signals physiological context and role in regulating metabolism. Significance.

The proposed project opens a novel field of research and will provide mechanism for how generalist feeders can change food intake and balance nutrient intake.