Cross-modal modulation gates nociceptive inputs in Drosophila

In this study, we report a unique system for studying cross-modal modulation by taking advantage of the genetic resources in Drosophila. We show that gentle mechanical stimuli inhibit nociceptive responses in Drosophila larvae. Low-threshold mechanosensory neurons inhibit a key second-order neuron in the nociceptive pathway through metabotropic GABA receptors on nociceptor synaptic terminals. Strikingly, this cross-modal inhibition is only effective when nociceptor inputs are weak, thus serving as a gating mechanism for filtering out weak nociceptive inputs. Our findings unveil a novel cross-modal gating mechanism for sensory pathways.PMID:36893758 | DOI:10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.032
Source: Current Biology - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: research