Desaturase-dependent secretory functions of hepatocyte-like cells control systemic lipid metabolism during starvation in Drosophila
2024
How Drosophila Cells Manage Fat During Starvation
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Li Jiayi, Huang Kerui, Dibra Indira, Liu Ying, Perrimon Norbert, Simons Matias
Hypothesis
How do oenocytes in Drosophila communicate with the fat body to manage lipid metabolism during starvation?
Conclusion
Oenocytes play a crucial role in lipid metabolism during starvation, and the delta 9 desaturase is essential for their proper function.
Supporting Evidence
- Oenocytes accumulate fat during fasting, similar to mammalian hepatocytes.
- Knockdown of Desat1 in oenocytes leads to more saturated lipids in the hemolymph.
- Desat1 KD results in reduced triacylglycerol storage in the fat body.
- Oenocytes with Desat1 KD show an accumulation of lipoproteins and actin filaments.
- ImpL2 is secreted from oenocytes during starvation in a Desat1-dependent manner.
- Flies with oenocyte-specific KD and overexpression of ImpL2 show altered sensitivity to starvation.
Takeaway
When flies don't eat, special cells help manage their fat. If these cells don't work right, the flies can't store fat properly.
Methodology
The study used a modified protocol for prolonged starvation and examined the effects of knocking down Desat1 in oenocytes.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website