Synaptic transmission parallels neuromodulation in a central food-intake circuit

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.16799
• Publication Date: 2016-11-15T13:00:19Z
• Authors: Philipp Schlegel; Michael J Texada; Anton Miroschnikow; Andreas Schoofs; Sebastian Hückesfeld; Marc Peters; Casey M Schneider...; Haluk Lacin; Feng Li; Richard D Fetter; James W Truman; Albert Cardona; Michael J Pankratz
• Keywords: Neuromodulation

NeuromedinU is a potent regulator of food intake and activity in mammals. In Drosophila , neurons producing the homologous neuropeptide hugin regulate feeding locomotion similar manner. Here, we use EM-based reconstruction to generate entire connectome hugin-producing larval CNS. We demonstrate that synaptic transmission addition peptidergic neuromodulation identify acetylcholine as key transmitter. Hugin are both necessary for regulatory effect on feeding. further show subtypes connect chemosensory endocrine system by combinations peptide-receptor connections. Targets include DH44, CRH-like peptide, insulin-like peptides. Homologs these peptides likewise downstream neuromedinU, revealing striking parallels flies propose part an ancient physiological control has been conserved at functional molecular level.