Dscam1 overexpression impairs the function of the gut nervous system in Drosophila

Abstract Background Down syndrome (DS) patients have a 100‐fold increase in the risk of Hirschsprung syndrome of the colon and rectum (HSCR), a lack of enteric neurons in the colon. The leading DS candidate gene is trisomy of the Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM). Results We find that Dscam1 protein is expressed in the Drosophila enteric/stomatogastric nervous system (SNS). Axonal Dscam1 phenotypes can be rescued equally by diverse isoforms. Overexpression of Dscam1 resulted in frontal and hindgut nerve overgrowth. Expression of dominant negative Dscam1‐ΔC led to a truncated frontal nerve and increased branching of the hindgut nerve. Larval locomotion is influenced by feeding state, and we found that the average speed of larvae with Dscam1 SNS expression was reduced, whereas overexpression of Dscam1‐ΔC significantly increased the speed. Dscam1 overexpression reduced the efficiency of food clearance from the larval gut. Conclusion Our work demonstrates that overexpression of Dscam1 can perturb gut function in a model system.