Modulation of Olfactory Receptor Neuron Sensitivity by Hunger in Drosophila
نویسندگان
چکیده
Hunger drives animals to search for food, a behavior that is heavily dependent on the olfactory system. The neuronal mechanism by which hunger modulates the behavioral response towards food odor, however, is not well understood. In this study, using a single-fly behavioral assay and single-unit recording, we have demonstrated that starved flies exhibit enhanced attraction towards an attractive odor, ethyl acetate, via increased sensitization of the olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). These results suggest that the increased attraction behavior caused by hunger is due to enhanced sensitivity in the ORNs.
منابع مشابه
Hungry Flies Tune to Vinegar
Many molecular signals that represent hunger and satiety in the body have been identified, but relatively little is known about how these factors alter the nervous system to change behavior. Root et al. (2011) report that hunger modulates the sensitivity of specific olfactory sensory neurons in Drosophila and facilitates odor-search behavior.
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