ScerGAL4NP0883 drives expression in around 70 cells in the adult brain and in around 50 cells in the thoracico-abdominal ganglion. Labelled cells in the brain are mainly located in the adult gnathal ganglion and in the region of the antennal lobe/lateral horn.
Thermogenetic activation (using TrpA1UAS.(B).cKa at 30[o]C) of Scer\GAL4NP0883 cells in adults significantly increases food intake of satiated flies, compared to controls.
Optogenetic activation (using Cnoc\ChR1::Csub\ChRCsChrimson.IVS.20xUAS.Venus with orange light) of Scer\GAL4NP0883 neurons in the absence of food prior to testing in adults does not affect food intake, compared to controls.
Thermogenetic activation (using TrpA1UAS.(B).cKa at 32[o]C) of Scer\GAL4NP0883 cells in fed adult females significantly increases consumption of water, sugar solution and bitter solution, and significantly increases spontaneous proboscis extensions, compared to controls.
Inactivation (using Hsap\KCNJ2UAS.EGFP) of Scer\GAL4NP0883 cells, in combination with a Gal80[ts] transgene to restrict expression to the adult stage, in fed adult females does not significantly affect consumption of water, sugar solution, or bitter solution, compared to controls.
Inhibition (using Ork1Δ-C.UAS.EGFP) of Scer\GAL4NP0883 cells in adults given a choice between sucrose solution and water results in significantly reduced sucrose, but not water, consumption, compared to controls.
Thermogenetic activation (using TrpA1UAS.(B).cKa at 30[o]C) of Scer\GAL4NP0883 cells in adults given a choice between sucrose solution and water results in significantly increased water, but not sucrose, consumption, compared to controls; activation in adults given access to only a single solution results in significantly increased sucrose, xylitol, caffeine or water consumption, compared to controls.
Thermogenetic activation (using TrpA1UAS.(B).cKa with an infrared heat pulse to the head) of Scer\GAL4NP0883 cells in adults significantly increases proboscis extensions, compared to controls.
Activation of Scer\GAL4NP0883-expressing neurons results in continuous feeding of satiated flies. Increased proboscis extension is also seen in the absence of food. Satiated Scer\GAL4NP5137-expressing flies also show increased pharyngeal pumping (used for swallowing food) compared with satiated wild type flies.
Suppression of activity in Scer\GAL4NP0883-expressing neurons results in abolishment of natural feeding behavior in response to sucrose.