
A group of multi-dendritic mechanosensory neurons in the fly's pharynx (cibarium) are essential for coordinating the rhythmic filling and emptying of the cibarium during swallowing. These neurons interact with the motor circuit to control the swallow process.


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As the early step of food ingestion, the swallow is under rigorous sensorimotor control. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying swallow control at a molecular and circuitry level remain largely unknown. Here, we find that mutation of the mechanotransduction channel genes nompC , Tmc, or piezo impairs the regular pumping rhythm of the cibarium during feeding of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster . A group of multi-dendritic mechanosensory neurons, which co-express the three channels, wrap the cibarium and are crucial for coordinating the filling and emptying of the cibarium. Inhibition of them causes difficulty in food emptying in the cibarium, while their activation leads to difficulty in cibarium filling. Synaptic and functional connections are detected between the pharyngeal mechanosensory neurons and the motor circuit that controls swallow. This study elucidates the role of mechanosensation in swallow, and provides insights for a better understanding of the neural basis of food swallow.

### Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Pharyngeal Mechanosensory Neurons Control Food Swallow in Drosophila melanogaster

mechanosensory-neurons-in-the-pharynx-regulate-swallowing-behavior-in-drosophila-melanogaster


Mechanosensory Neurons in the Pharynx Regulate Swallowing Behavior in Drosophila melanogaster
