Open AccessThe receptor channel formed by ppk25, ppk29 and ppk23 can sense the Drosophila female pheromone 7,11‐heptacosadiene
Author(s) -
Liu Tong,
Wang Ying,
Tian Yue,
Zhang Jin,
Zhao Jianjian,
Guo Aike
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
genes, brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1601-183X
pISSN - 1601-1848
DOI - 10.1111/gbb.12529
Subject(s) - sex pheromone , pheromone , courtship , biology , aphrodisiac , courtship display , medicine , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , zoology , alternative medicine , pathology
In Drosophila , pheromones play a crucial role in regulating courtship behaviors. In males, female aphrodisiac pheromones promote male‐female courtship, and male antiaphrodisiac pheromones inhibit male‐male courtship. Previous studies have reported that receptor proteins belonging to the pickpocket (ppk) family, ionotropic receptor family and gustatory receptor family are required for pheromone detection and normal courtship. However, none of them has been shown to be sufficient for sensing pheromones after ectopic expression in originally unresponsive cells. “M” cells are activated by male antiaphrodisiac pheromones but not female aphrodisiac pheromones, and the activated cells inhibit male‐male courtship. In our study, male flies with ectopic expression of ppk25 , ppk29 and ppk23 in “M” cells showed decreased male‐female courtship. Using an in vivo calcium imaging approach, we found that the “M” cells expressing these three ppk s were significantly activated by the female aphrodisiac pheromone 7,11‐heptacosadiene (7,11‐HD). Our results indicate that a sodium channel consisting, at minimum, of ppk25, ppk29 and ppk23, can sense 7,11‐HD, most likely as a receptor. Our findings may help us gain insights into the molecular mechanisms of pheromonal functions.