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Specialized hepatocyte-like cells regulate Drosophila lipid metabolism

Author

Listed:
  • Eugenio Gutierrez

    (National Institute for Medical Research)

  • David Wiggins

    (Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital)

  • Barbara Fielding

    (Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Churchill Hospital)

  • Alex P. Gould

    (National Institute for Medical Research)

Abstract

Lipid metabolism is essential for growth and generates much of the energy needed during periods of starvation. In Drosophila, fasting larvae release large quantities of lipid from the fat body but it is unclear how and where this is processed. Here we identify the oenocyte as the principal cell type accumulating lipid droplets during starvation. Tissue-specific manipulations of the Slimfast amino-acid channel, the Lsd2 fat-storage regulator and the Brummer lipase indicate that oenocytes act downstream of the fat body. In turn, oenocytes are required for depleting stored lipid from the fat body during fasting. Hence, lipid-metabolic coupling between the fat body and oenocytes is bidirectional. When food is plentiful, oenocytes have critical roles in regulating growth, development and feeding behaviour. In addition, they specifically express many different lipid-metabolizing proteins, including Cyp4g1, an ω-hydroxylase regulating triacylglycerol composition. These findings provide evidence that some lipid-processing functions of the mammalian liver are performed in insects by oenocytes.

Suggested Citation

  • Eugenio Gutierrez & David Wiggins & Barbara Fielding & Alex P. Gould, 2007. "Specialized hepatocyte-like cells regulate Drosophila lipid metabolism," Nature, Nature, vol. 445(7125), pages 275-280, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:445:y:2007:i:7125:d:10.1038_nature05382
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05382
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    1. Akiko Koto & Makoto Tamura & Pui Shan Wong & Sachiyo Aburatani & Eyal Privman & Céline Stoffel & Alessandro Crespi & Sean Keane McKenzie & Christine Mendola & Tomas Kay & Laurent Keller, 2023. "Social isolation shortens lifespan through oxidative stress in ants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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