Regulatory mechanisms of gustatory circuit and feeding behavior by the neural Ig receptors

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Dscam, which encodes a neural Ig receptor, can generate more than 38,000 isoforms via alternative splicing. Dscam knock-down in taste cells induced loss of synapses between taste cells and secondary neurons. These flies showed reduced appetite or a decreased behavioral avoidance to bitter compounds. In contrast, the revertant flies with 22,000 isoforms showed indistinguishable feeding behavior with wildtype. Our results suggest that Dscam is essential for synapse formation in gustatory circuits and for the feeding behavior, but the full set of Dscam isoforms may not be required.