Allatostatin A Signalling in Drosophila Regulates Feeding and Sleep and Is Modulated by PDF.

ABSTRACT: Feeding and sleep are fundamental behaviours with significant interconnections and cross-modulations. The circadian system and peptidergic signals are important components of this modulation, but still little is known about the mechanisms and networks by which they interact to regulate feeding and sleep. We show that specific thermogenetic activation of peptidergic Allatostatin A (AstA)-expressing PLP neurons and enteroendocrine cells reduces feeding and promotes sleep in the fruit fly Drosophila. The effects of AstA cell activation are mediated by AstA peptides with receptors homolog to galanin receptors subserving similar and apparently conserved functions in vertebrates. We further identify the PLP neurons as a downstream target of the neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF), an ou

SUBMITTER: Chen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5045179 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature