The Amrein Laboratory

Research interests in the Amrein lab focus on (i) elucidating basic mechanisms of perception and coding in the taste system and (ii) exploring the interplay between neurosecretory cells and metabolic processes using Drosophila as a model system.

Neuropeptides (NPs) are ancient signaling molecules that have a wide range of functions, regulate many biochemical processes and can act at different time scales. Most NPs bind to G protein coupled receptors, which are expressed within or outside the CNS, where they activate signaling event and affect physiological properties of respective tissues. Our recent work revealed that the gluconeogenic enzyme Glucose 6 phosphatase (G6P) has been appropriated for modulating the release of several NPs in the Drosophila neurosecretory system. A group of closely related NPs, the FMRFamides (FMRFa), are of particular interest to us, because we discovered that they are G6P dependent signaling molecules that regulate and co-ordinate glycogen metabolism across a range of tissues, including several muscle groups and the fat body.

Our work on chemosensory perception has a long history, starting with the discovery of both olfactory and gustatory (taste) receptors in the fruit fly more than 20 years ago. Our current interest is focused on the role of specific taste receptor in the larvae, which is characterized by rapid growth and hence relies on the detection of specific nutrients. We discovered that a key nutrient necessary for larval development and growth are ribonucleosides. Appetitive taste for RNA is also found in other insects (i.e. mosquitoes) and mediated by a conserved group of taste
receptors.

To achieve our goals, we employ a range of molecular genetics approaches (transgenesis, homologous recombination, CRISPR/Cas9), genomics & metabolomics, and combine them with neural imaging and behavioral analyses. Our studies have translational potential to better understand metabolic and neurological disease in mammals, and nutrient requirement and feeding behaviors of insects that transmit pathogenic viruses (Dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever), which are of great human health significance.