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| Subject Categories: Signal Transduction | Neuroscience |
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| The EMBO Journal
(2005) 24, 3259–3265, doi:10.1038/sj.emboj.7600796 Published online 25 August 2005 |
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| G-protein gamma subunit 1 is required for sugar reception in Drosophila |
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| Hiroshi Ishimoto1, Kuniaki Takahashi2, Ryu Ueda2 and Teiichi Tanimura1 |
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1 Department of Biology, Graduate School of Sciences, Kyushu University, Ropponmatsu, Fukuoka, Japan 2 Genetic Strains Research Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan To whom correspondence should be addressed Teiichi Tanimura, Department of Biology, Graduate School of Sciences, Kyushu University, Ropponmatsu, Fukuoka 810-8560, Japan. Tel.: +81 92 726 4759; Fax: +81 92 726 4625; E-mail: tanimura@rc.kyushu-u.ac.jp Received 18 April 2005; Accepted 3 August 2005; Published online 25 August 2005. |
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| Abstract |
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Though G-proteins have been implicated in the primary step of taste signal transduction, no direct demonstration has been done in insects. We show here that a G-protein gamma subunit, G 1, is required for the signal transduction of sugar taste reception in Drosophila. The G1 gene is expressed mainly in one of the gustatory receptor neurons. Behavioral responses of the flies to sucrose were reduced by the targeted suppression of neural functions of G1-expressing cells using neural modulator genes such as the modified Shaker K+ channel (EKO), the tetanus toxin light chain or the shibire (shits1) gene. RNA interference targeting to the G1 gene reduced the amount of G1 mRNA and suppressed electrophysiological response of the sugar receptor neuron. We also demonstrated that responses to sugars were lowered in G1 null mutant, G1N159. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that G1 participates in the signal transduction of sugar taste reception. |
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| Keywords: Drosophila, G-protein, signal transduction, taste |
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Top of page MORE ARTICLES LIKE THISThese links to content published by NPG are automatically generated NEWS AND VIEWSReceptor seeks ligand: On the way to cloning the molecular receptors for sweet and bitter taste Nature Medicine News and Views (01 Apr 1999) RESEARCHA Gr receptor is required for response to the sugar trehalose in taste neurons of Drosophila Nature Neuroscience Article (01 Dec 2001) The detection of carbonation by the Drosophila gustatory system Nature Letters to Editor (30 Aug 2007) Nature Letters to Editor (18 Mar 1976) |
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