Evolution of the sugar receptors in insects.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Perception of sugars is an invaluable ability for insects which often derive quickly accessible energy from these molecules. A distinctive subfamily of eight proteins within the gustatory receptor (Gr) family has been identified as sugar receptors (SRs) in Drosophila melanogaster (Gr5a, Gr61a, and Gr64a-f). We examined the evolution of these SRs within the 12 available Drosophila genome sequences, as well as three mosquito, two moth, and beetle, bee, and wasp genome sequences.

Results

While most Drosophila species retain all eight genes, we find that the three Drosophila subgenus species have lost Gr64d, while D. grimshawi and the D. pseudoobscura/persimilis sibling species have also lost Gr5a function. The entire Gr64 gene complex was also duplicated in the D. gr

SUBMITTER: Kent LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2667405 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature