Abstract

Cannabinoids have an important role in regulating feeding behaviors via cannabinoid receptors in mammals. Cannabinoids also exhibit potential therapeutic functions in Drosophila melanogaster, or fruit fly that lacks cannabinoid receptors. However, it remains unclear whether cannabinoids affect food consumption and metabolism in a cannabinoid receptors-independent manner in flies. In this study, we systematically investigated pharmacological functions of various cannabinoids in modulating food preference and consumption in flies. We show that flies display preferences for consuming cannabinoids, independent of two important sensory regulators Poxn and Orco. Interestingly, phyto- and endo- cannabinoids exhibit an inhibitory effect on food intake. Unexpectedly, the non-selective CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 attenuates the suppression of food intake by endocannabinoids. Moreover, the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and its metabolite inhibit food intake and promote resistance to starvation, possibly through reduced lipid metabolism. Thus, this study has provided insights into a pharmacological role of cannabinoids in feeding behaviors using an adult Drosophila model.

Details

Title
Cannabinoids modulate food preference and consumption in Drosophila melanogaster
Author
He Jianzheng 1 ; Tan Alice Mei Xien 1 ; Ng, Si Yun 1 ; Menglong, Rui 1 ; Yu Fengwei 2 

 National University of Singapore, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.4280.e) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 6431) 
 National University of Singapore, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.4280.e) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 6431); National University of Singapore, Department of Biological Sciences, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.4280.e) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 6431); Centre for Life Sciences, NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, Singapore, Singapore (GRID:grid.4280.e) (ISNI:0000 0001 2180 6431) 
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2493258168
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.