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Enjin, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Enjin, A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources
bioRxiv2023

A dynamic humidity arena to explore humidity related behaviours in insects

Humidity is a critical environmental factor influencing the behaviour of terrestrial organisms. Despite its significance, the neural mechanisms and behavioural algorithms governing humidity sensation in insects remain elusive. In this study, we introduce a novel dynamic humidity arena to investigate humidity-guided behaviour in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster. The arena allows precise humidity control, low error rates, and fast settling times, making it a robust tool for studying humidity-related behaviours. Our results reveal that desiccated and starved flies (DS flies) search for higher relative humidity environments (65-75%) while sated flies tend to stay within their initial environments. In contrast, Ionotropic receptor (Ir)93a mutant flies with impaired humidity sensing show no preference to relative humidity. The search for higher humidity in DS flies is reflected in their relatively high displacement and walking speed compared to control and mutant flies. Our novel method manipulates humidity cues to create complex humidity landscapes that respond in real-time to insect movement. This will help us shed light on how humidity shapes behaviour and offers a foundation for further research in the field of hygrosensation.

neuroscience↗
bioRxiv2023

Genetic atlas of hygro- and thermosensory cells in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster

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.

neuroscience↗