Nerveless and gutsy: intestinal nutrient sensing from invertebrates to humans

► Nutrient sensing in the gastrointestinal tract is metabolically significant. ► It is carried out by both absorptive and secretory intestinal epithelial cells. ► Gut nutrient sensors include G protein-coupled receptors and nutrient transporters. ► Nutrient sensors are evolutionarily conserved. ► Their study in C. elegans and Drosophila may shed light on their functions.