Activation of TRPA1 Isoforms by Citronellal and Menthol.

Background: The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) cation channels function as broadly-tuned sensors of noxious chemicals in many species. Recent studies identified four functional TRPA1 isoforms in (dTRPA1(A) to (D)), but their responses to non-electrophilic chemicals are yet to be fully characterized.

Methods: We determined the behavioral responses of adult flies to the mammalian TRPA1 non-electrophilic activators citronellal and menthol, and characterized the effects of these compounds on all four dTRPA1 channel isoforms using intracellular Ca imaging and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings.

The role of cuticular hydrocarbons in mate recognition in Drosophila suzukii.

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) play a central role in the chemical communication of many insects. In Drosophila suzukii, an economically important pest insect, very little is known about chemical communication and the possible role of CHCs. In this study, we identified 60 CHCs of Drosophila suzukii and studied their changes in function of age (maturation), sex and interactions with the opposite sex.

Hearing regulates aggression.

Aggression is a universal social behavior important for the acquisition of food, mates, territory, and social status. Aggression in is context-dependent and can thus be expected to involve inputs from multiple sensory modalities. Here, we use mechanical disruption and genetic approaches in to identify hearing as an important sensory modality in the context of intermale aggressive behavior.