Mutations affecting the cAMP transduction pathway modify olfaction in Drosophila.

The rutabaga and dunce genes, encode two enzymes of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate transduction pathway in Drosophila, adenylyl cyclase and cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase, respectively. Two main second messenger systems, depending on inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, have been associated with olfaction in vertebrates as well as invertebrates. A relationship between the cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway and olfactory reception in Drosophila is suggested by the presence of cyclic nucleotide gated channels and cyclic-nucleotide modulated K+ channels in the antennae, the main olfactory organs. In this report, molecular, electrophysiological and behavioral data support the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in olfactory function for this species. Expression of both genes in the antennae has been shown by messenger ribonucleic acid analysis. Changes in the electroantennogram kinetics have been observed specifically on the slope of the initial rising phase, as predicted for processes that affect cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentration. Olfactory behavior changes due to both mutations were coherent with a functional meaning of the reported electrophysiological phenotype in olfactory perception. Sensitivity level increases or decreases for the mutants compared to the control line depending on the odorant. These results are compatible with some olfactory coding at the reception level by differential activation of a dual transduction system involving the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate cascades.

Quantifying relative importance of maxillary palp information on the olfactory behavior of Drosophila melanogaster.

Maxillary palps have been proposed as secondary olfactory organs, after the antennae, in Drosophila melanogaster. Our study tries to establish the quantitative importance of both organs as olfactory information mediators. Dose-response curves for three odorants: ethyl acetate, propionaldehyde and benzaldehyde were carried out for comparing olfaction in either complete animals or flies surgically deprived of antennae. Antennaless flies tested in our behavioral assay showed indifferent, attractant and repellent responses depending on concentration, similarly as normal flies do. However, they clearly displayed less sensitivity than normal flies. The range of concentrations they were able to perceive was correlated to antennal sensitivity approximately by a factor 1:10 for ethyl acetate and benzaldehyde, and between 1:10 and 1:100 at high concentrations of propionaldehyde. A complementary experiment was performed to test changes in olfactory behavior produced by removing maxillary palps in the presence of antennae. At high concentrations of odorant, responses to ethyl acetate and propionaldehyde experienced small changes when both palps were removed. Results are compatible with a summation model of all olfactory information reaching the brain either through antennae or palps.