Enteric neurons increase maternal food intake during reproduction
File(s)AcceptedMsandFinalFigs.pdf (7.04 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Reproduction induces increased food intake across females of many animal species1,2,3,4, providing a physiologically relevant paradigm for the exploration of appetite regulation. Here, by examining the diversity of enteric neurons in Drosophila melanogaster, we identify a key role for gut-innervating neurons with sex- and reproductive state-specific activity in sustaining the increased food intake of mothers during reproduction. Steroid and enteroendocrine hormones functionally remodel these neurons, which leads to the release of their neuropeptide onto the muscles of the crop—a stomach-like organ—after mating. Neuropeptide release changes the dynamics of crop enlargement, resulting in increased food intake, and preventing the post-mating remodelling of enteric neurons reduces both reproductive hyperphagia and reproductive fitness. The plasticity of enteric neurons is therefore key to reproductive success. Our findings provide a mechanism to attain the positive energy balance that sustains gestation, dysregulation of which could contribute to infertility or weight gain.
Date Issued
2020-11-19
Online Publication Date
2021-04-28T23:01:12Z
Date Acceptance
2020-08-04
ISSN
0028-0836
Publisher
Nature Research
Start Page
455
End Page
459
Journal / Book Title
Nature
Volume
587
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2020. The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2866-8
Sponsor
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
Commission of the European Communities
Identifier
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2866-8
Grant Number
BB/N000528/1
787470
Subjects
Science & Technology
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Science & Technology - Other Topics
NEURAL CIRCUIT MECHANISM
DROSOPHILA-MELANOGASTER
FEEDING-BEHAVIOR
NUTRIENT SENSOR
SEX PEPTIDE
EXPRESSION
BRAIN
RECEPTOR
CELLS
SUGAR
Animal Structures
Animals
Appetite Regulation
Drosophila melanogaster
Eating
Energy Intake
Female
Hyperphagia
Male
Mothers
Neurons
Neuropeptides
Reproduction
Neurons
Animal Structures
Animals
Drosophila melanogaster
Hyperphagia
Neuropeptides
Mothers
Energy Intake
Reproduction
Appetite Regulation
Eating
Female
Male
General Science & Technology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-10-28