Cool and warm ionotropic receptors control multiple thermotaxes in Drosophila larvae

Animals are continuously confronted with different rates of temperature variation. The mechanism underlying how temperature-sensing systems detect and respond to fast and slow temperature changes is not fully understood in fly larvae. Here, we applied two-choice behavioral assays to mimic fast temperature variations and a gradient assay to model slow temperature changes. Previous research indicates that Rhodopsin 1 (Rh1) and its phospholipase C (PLC) cascade regulate fast and slow temperature responses. We focused on the ionotropic receptors (IRs) expressed in dorsal organ ganglions (DOG), in which dorsal organ cool-activated cells (DOCCs) and warm-activated cells (DOWCs) rely on IR-formed cool and warm receptors to respond to temperature changes. In two-choice assays, both cool and warm IRs are sufficient for selecting 18°C between 18°C and 25°C but neither function in cool preferences between 25°C and 32°C. The Rh1 pathway, on the other hand, contributes to choosing preferred temperatures in both assays. In a gradient assay, cool and warm IR receptors exert opposite effects to guide animals to ∼25°C. Cool IRs drive animals to avoid cool temperatures, whereas warm IRs guide them to leave warm regions. The Rh1 cascade and warm IRs may function in the same pathway to drive warm avoidance in gradient assays. Moreover, IR92a is not expressed in temperature-responsive neurons but regulates the activation of DOWCs and the deactivation of DOCCs. Together with previous studies, we conclude that multiple thermosensory systems, in various collaborative ways, help larvae to make their optimal choices in response to different rates of temperature change.

Ir76b is a Co-receptor for Amine Responses in Drosophila Olfactory Neurons

Two large families of olfactory receptors, the Odorant Receptors (ORs) and Ionotropic Receptors (IRs), mediate responses to most odors in the insect olfactory system. Individual odorant binding "tuning" OrX receptors are expressed by olfactory neurons in basiconic and trichoid sensilla and require the co-receptor Orco. The situation for IRs is more complex. Different tuning IrX receptors are expressed by olfactory neurons in coeloconic sensilla and rely on either the Ir25a or Ir8a co-receptors; some evidence suggests that Ir76b may also act as a co-receptor, but its function has not been systematically examined. Surprisingly, recent data indicate that nearly all coeloconic olfactory neurons co-express Ir25a, Ir8a, and Ir76b. Here, we demonstrate that Ir76b and Ir25a function together in all amine-sensing olfactory receptor neurons. In most neurons, loss of either co-receptor abolishes amine responses. In contrast, amine responses persist in the absence of Ir76b or Ir25a in ac1 sensilla but are lost in a double mutant. We show that responses mediated by acid-sensing neurons do not require Ir76b, despite their expression of this co-receptor. Our study also demonstrates that one population of coeloconic olfactory neurons exhibits Ir76b/Ir25a-dependent and Orco-dependent responses to distinct odorants. Together, our data establish the role of Ir76b as a bona fide co-receptor, which acts in partnership with Ir25a. Given that these co-receptors are among the most highly conserved olfactory receptors and are often co-expressed in chemosensory neurons, our data suggest Ir76b and Ir25a also work in tandem in other insects.