Pharmacological analysis of feeding in a caterpillar: different transduction pathways for umami and saccharin?

Naturwissenschaften. 2009 May;96(5):621-4. doi: 10.1007/s00114-008-0505-6. Epub 2009 Jan 3.

Abstract

Neonate larvae of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), modify their behavior in the presence of saccharin, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) by commencing their feeding earlier. Previously published pharmacological analysis demonstrated that phagostimulatory effects of MSG and L-AP4 (which elicit umami taste sensation in humans) are reversed by adenylate cyclase activator and phosphodiesterase inhibitor. In this study, by measuring the time needed to start ingestion of foliage treated with mixtures of phagostimulants and signal transduction modulators, we show that phagostimulatory effects of L-aspartate (the third hallmark umami substance) are also abolished by both adenylate cyclase activator and phosphodiesterase inhibitor, but not by phospholipase C inhibitor. However, stimulatory effects of hemicalcium saccharin were affected only by phospholipase C inhibitor. The results suggest that codling moth neonates use different transduction pathways for perception of hemicalcium saccharin and umami.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenylyl Cyclases / metabolism
  • Aminobutyrates / metabolism
  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid / pharmacology
  • Diet*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Larva / drug effects
  • Larva / physiology
  • Moths / growth & development
  • Moths / physiology*
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Saccharin / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Sodium Glutamate / metabolism*
  • Taste
  • Type C Phospholipases / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Aminobutyrates
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Aspartic Acid
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • Adenylyl Cyclases
  • Saccharin
  • 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid
  • Sodium Glutamate