For example, Gh gene expression in the brain correlates with increased food consumption and body weight in mice [ 13, 14] and has been implicated in feeding behavior and energy homeostasis [ 35, 14].
Interestingly, the subesophageal ganglion region has been implicated in feeding and taste responses, as gustatory sensory neurons and hugin neurons (that are known to modulate feeding behavior) project to this region [21].
In addition, sNPF is implicated in feeding and growth in Drosophila [42], [43] and food search in mosquitoes [57] and tachykinins display weak diuretic action on renal tubules of moth and locust [49], [50].
Neuropeptide F, the Drosophila ortholog of Neuropeptide Y, has been implicated in control of feeding [ 19] and motivational behavior [ 20] and is an excellent candidate for modulating sleep-feeding interactions.
The hug gene has been implicated in regulation of feeding behavior in relation to chemosensory and nutritional signals [35] and CAPA-PVKs display diuretic activity on Malpighian tubules [34].
Orexin has been implicated in arousal and feeding behaviour, but more recently also in the mesolimbic reward pathway.
Many of the candidate genes identified in this study code for products (protein) that have been implicated in regulation of feeding and energy metabolism.
Thus, although the NI itself has not been implicated in reproduction or feeding, relaxin-3 immunoreactive fibers project from this area to hypothalamic areas of the brain with well-characterized roles in the regulation of appetite and reproduction.
MiR-146 has previously been implicated in negative feed-back regulation of these pathways [ 11, 26], similar to a number of signalling proteins, including the protein-tyrosine phosphatase Ptpn6 [ 53, 54].
Maternal depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress have been implicated in less responsive feeding practices [ 3] which, in particular circumstances, may lead to child under-nutrition.
Future studies could focus on insulin signaling as well as TOR pathway signaling, both of which have been implicated in high-calorie feeding models in flies (Birse et al., 2010).
