FIGURE 5.

Activation of 5-HT2A ⁺ SMP neurons promotes protein feeding behaviors. (A) GFP labeling of neurons driven by 5-HT2A-GAL4 in the brain (image is a max projection). (B) Activation of 5-HT2A ⁺ SMP neurons (red bar indicates red light activation period) promotes acute interaction with a protein solution. Inset: Quantification of total interactions during the light period (n = 11 and 12, one-sided t-test p = 0.02). (C) Flies expressing CsChrimson in 5-HT2A ⁺ SMP neurons do not show differences in interactions with a protein solution in the absence of red light activation (n = 8 and 9, two-sided t-test p = 0.68). (D) Activation of 5-HT2A ⁺ SMP neurons promotes consumption of high protein solid food (n = 7 where each replicate consists of 10 flies, one-sided t-test p = 0.01) and flies expressing CsChrimson in 5-HT2A ⁺ SMP neurons do not show differences in solid food consumption relative to controls in the absence of red light activation (n = 7 where each replicate is comprised of 10 flies, one-sided t-test p = 0.09). (E) Activation (n = 182 and 185, log-rank analysis p = 0.5) and (F) inhibition (n = 186 and 191, log-rank analysis p = 0.2) of 5-HT2A ⁺ SMP neurons have no effect on lifespan relative to genotypic controls maintained in constant darkness. All experiments were conducted in females.