Figure 2: Blocking specific subsets of sweet taste receptor neurons differentially affects sucrose preference. | Nature Communications

Figure 2: Blocking specific subsets of sweet taste receptor neurons differentially affects sucrose preference.

From: Functional dissociation in sweet taste receptor neurons between and within taste organs of Drosophila

Figure 2

(a) Requirement of different sweet taste receptor neurons for sucrose preference. Electrically silencing sweet taste receptor neurons in Gr61a-GAL4, Gr64e-GAL4 and Gr64f-GAL4 with constitutively active UAS-Kir2.1 impaired 2-M sucrose PI compared with genetic controls (Kruskal–Wallis test; Dunn’s post test; ***P<0.001). Driving UAS-Kir2.1 by all other tested Gr-GAL4 lines did not significantly impair sucrose preference (P>0.05). Sucrose preference of flies with silenced sweet taste receptor neurons using Gr61a-GAL4 and Gr64f-GAL4 was indistinguishable from zero (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, P>0.05). n=12–23 per group. Results are medians, error bars indicate the first/third quartile. (b–h) Expression patterns of Gr-GAL4 lines in the GNG (UAS-mCD8::GFP, orange; Synapsin (ubiquitous synaptic marker), blue). Partial projections, scale bars, 40 μm. Note inputs from the VNC via the cervical connective (arrows) only in the three Gr-GAL4 lines with impaired sucrose preference. (i–o) Expression patterns of Gr-GAL4 lines in foreleg tarsi (UAS-mCD8::GFP, orange). Total cell numbers (mean) of all tarsal segments are reported. Strong signals in the joints are autofluorescence. Scale bars, 40 μm, n=6–11.

Back to article page