Enterococci Mediate the Oviposition Preference of Drosophila melanogaster through Sucrose Catabolism.

ABSTRACT: Sucrose, one of the main products of photosynthesis in plants, functions as a universal biomarker for nutritional content and maturity of different fruits across diverse ecological niches. Drosophila melanogaster congregates to lay eggs in rotting fruits, yet the factors that influence these decisions remains uncovered. Here, we report that lactic acid bacteria Enterococci are critical modulators to attract Drosophila to lay eggs on decaying food. Drosophila-associated Enterococci predominantly catabolize sucrose for growing their population in fly food, and thus generate a unique ecological niche with depleted sucrose, but enriched bacteria. Female flies navigate these favorable oviposition sites by probing the sucrose cue with their gustatory sensory neurons. Acquirement of indigenous mi

SUBMITTER: Liu W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5647369 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature