Genetic atlas of hygro-and thermosensory cells in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogasterShow others and affiliations
2023 (English)In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 13, no 1, article id 15202
Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The ability of animals to perceive and respond to sensory information is essential for their survival in diverse environments. While much progress has been made in understanding various sensory modalities, the sense of hygrosensation, which involves the detection and response to humidity, remains poorly understood. In this study, we focused on the hygrosensory, and closely related thermosensory, systems in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster to unravel the molecular profile of the cells of these senses. Using a transcriptomic analysis of over 37,000 nuclei, we identified twelve distinct clusters of cells corresponding to temperature-sensing arista neurons, humidity-sensing sacculus neurons, and support cells relating to these neurons. By examining the expression of known and novel marker genes, we validated the identity of these clusters and characterized their gene expression profiles. We found that each cell type could be characterized by a unique expression profile of ion channels, GPCR signaling molecules, synaptic vesicle cycle proteins, and cell adhesion molecules. Our findings provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of hygro- and thermosensation. Understanding the mechanisms underlying hygro- and thermosensation may shed light on the broader understanding of sensory systems and their adaptation to different environmental conditions in animals.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Nature Publishing Group, 2023. Vol. 13, no 1, article id 15202
National Category
Cell and Molecular Biology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-214695DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42506-2ISI: 001068217200032PubMedID: 37709909Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85171379140OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-214695DiVA, id: diva2:1800123
Funder
Wenner-Gren FoundationsSwedish Research Council FormasSwedish Research CouncilThe Crafoord FoundationKnut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation2023-09-252023-09-252025-04-24Bibliographically approved