Meeting Abstract
The role of the enteric nervous system (ENS) and its relationship to microbiota and organismal health has become current topics of investigation. We have used the model insect, larval Manduca sexta, to begin some preliminary investigations of the roles of diet and microbiota in the expression of the neuropeptide FMRFamide using immunocytochemistry. We manipulated the diet by feeding the larvae on an artificial diet (Carolina Biological Supply) and on tomato leaves, as well as on a sterile artificial diet in a sterile environment to examine their effects over development on the expression of FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity. Our preliminary results indicate that there is a decrease in FMRFamide-like expression in the M. sexta gut on both natural and artificial diets over time. We have also found that M. sexta reared under sterile conditions had increased expression of FMRFamide-reactive cells compared to their non-sterile condition counterparts. These preliminary results suggest FMRFamide may play a role in earlier stages of gut development and that the ENS responds actively to the possible absence of enteric microbiota. Funded by: Kenyon College; Kenyon College Summer Science Scholarships and NSF-REU #1560005
