A research group led by Assistant Professor Yuto Yoshinari and Professor Takashi Nishimura (Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics) and by Technical Staff Takayuki Yamada at the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research has A research group led by Assistant Professor Yuto Yoshinari and Professor Takashi Nishimura (Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics), Professor Ryusuke Niwa (Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba), and Professor Taishi Yoshii (Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University) has elucidated one aspect of the mechanism that prevents excessive protein feeding using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.
In this study, the research team revealed that the enteroendocrine hormone CCHa1, secreted by enteroendocrine cells in the gut, suppresses the appetite for protein. It was found that CCHa1 secreted by enteroendocrine cells is received by enteric neurons extending into the gut and transmits the information to the gustatory neurons, thereby preventing excessive protein intake. Furthermore, it was revealed that when CCHa1 signaling does not function properly, Drosophila overconsumes a high-protein diet and accumulates toxic ammonia in the body.
This study suggests that enteroendocrine hormones may be involved in diseases such as eating disorders and picky eating, and future treatments targeting enteroendocrine hormones are expected.

For details of the research, please click here.