Identification of motor neurons and a mechanosensitive sensory neuron in the defecation circuitry of Drosophila larvae

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Abstract

Defecation allows the body to eliminate waste, an essential step in food processing for animal survival.In contrast to the extensive studies of feeding, its obligate counterpart, defecation, has received much less attention until recently. Here we report our characterizations of the defecation behavior of Drosophila larvae and its neural basis. Drosophila larvae display defecation cycles of stereotypic frequency, involving sequential contraction of hindgut and anal sphincter. The defecation behavior requires two groups of motor neurons that innervate hindgut and anal sphincter, respectively, and can excite gut muscles directly. These two groups of motor neurons fire sequentially with the same periodicity as the defecation behavior, as revealed by in vivo Ca²⁺ imaging. Moreover, we identified a single mechanosensitive sensory neuron that innervates the anal slit and senses the opening of the intestine terminus. This anus sensory neuron relies on the TRP channel NOMPC but not INACTIVE, NANCHUNG, or PIEZO for mechanotransduction.

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Wei Zhang

Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Zhiqiang Yan

Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Bingxue Li

Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Lily Yeh Jan

Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Yuh Nung Jan

Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States

For correspondence
yuhnung.jan@ucsf.edu

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

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