Artificial inactivation of DH44-positive neurons by the expression of Hsap\KCNJ2^UAS.EGFP under the control of Scer\GAL4^Dh44.PU abolishes the increased food consumptions induced by either dietary amino acids or dietary yeast extract observed in controls, but does not have an effect on baseline level of sucrose consumption; acute inactivation by the additional control of Gal80[ts] also abolishes the increased food consumptions induced by dietary amino acids.

Artificial activation of DH44-positive neurons by the expression of Bhal\NaChBac^UAS.cNa under the control of Scer\GAL4^Dh44.PU significantly enhances sucrose consumption, compared to controls. In the presence of dietary amino acids or yeast extract, this activation does not further increase food consumption.

Optogenetic activation (using Crei\ChR1::Vcar\ChR1::Vcar\ChR2^{ReaChR.UAS.Citrine} with orange light) of the combined set of Scer\GAL4^Gr28b.b.4.7 and Scer\GAL4^Dh44.PU cells, but not Scer\GAL4^Dh44.PU cells alone, in adults significantly increases food intake of satiated flies, compared to controls.