Abstract

AbstractThe underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate and coordinate critical physiological processes such as peristalsis are complex, often cryptic, and involve the integration of multiple tissues and organ systems within the organism. We have identified a completely novel component of the larval autonomic nervous system in the Drosophila larval midgut that is essential for the peristaltic movement of food from the anterior midgut into the acidic region of the midgut. We have named this region the Superior Cupric Autonomic Nervous System or SCANS. Located at the junction of the anterior and the acidic portions of the midgut, the SCANS is characterized by a cluster of a novel neuro-enteroendocrine cells that we call Lettuce Head Cells, a valve, and two anterior muscular tethers to the dorsal gastric caeca. Using cell ablation and ectopic activation via expression of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii blue-light activated channelrhodopsin, we demonstrate that the SCANS and in particular the Lettuce Head Cells are both necessary and sufficient for peristalsis and perhaps serve a larger role by coordinating digestion throughout the anterior midgut with development and growth.

Highlights

  • All higher metazoans have evolved digestive systems that extract sustenance from the environment for growth and survival

  • The Drosophila larval gut contains all of the features of a complete alimentary canal[5,6], the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the digestion within the Drosophila larval midgut remains cryptic

  • To identify new cell types that function in digestion, we examined 37 Gal[4] enhancer traps reported to express in the Drosophila larval midgut

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Summary

Introduction

All higher metazoans have evolved digestive systems that extract sustenance from the environment for growth and survival. To identify new cell types that function in digestion, we examined 37 Gal[4] enhancer traps reported to express in the Drosophila larval midgut.

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