The feeding behavior of animals is pivotal for their reproductive success and energy acquisition. In our study, we found that the Bactrocera dorsalis had a pronounced preference for sucrose among six plant-derived sugars during feeding. Then, we searched the entire genome of B. dorsalis for the gustatory receptors (Grs) responsible for sucrose sensation. Putative gustatory receptors involved in the detection of sweetness, bitterness, CO2 and other unknown functions. Together with phylogenetic analysis, expression profiling, calcium imaging, and CRISPR/Cas9 mediated mutagenesis, we found that BdorGr43a is the key receptor responding to sucrose. Our study elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the sucrose preferences in the feeding of B. dorsalis. Meanwhile, our results will serve as a reference for the understanding of gustatory sensing in insect. Furthermore, BdorGr43a may serve as an important target for the development of food attractants against the oriental fruit fly.
Keywords: Feeding; Gustatory receptor; Oriental fruit fly; Sugar preference.
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