UASt regulatory sequences drive expression of an inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP[[3]]) "sponge" which retains the ability to bind IP[[3]] without exerting any physiological activity, thus titrating cellular IP[[3]]. The sponge sequence consists of a 380 amino acid peptide derived from the ligand binding site of the Mmus\Itpr1 gene which has been mutated to carry the amino acid replacement K508A.
Expression of Mmus\Itpr1IP3-sponge.m30.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4Gr5a.853 changes the sensitivity of flies to sugars, with expression resulting in less of a preference towards trehalose and an increase in consumption of sucrose.
Flies expressing Mmus\Itpr1IP3-sponge.m30.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4Gr5a.853 exhibit a decrease in trehalose consumption at a variety of trehalose concentration.