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Wei Y, Zhou XL, Chen P, Liu TH, Lu C, Pan MH. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 degrades collagen I to regulate ovarian development by association with an insulin-like peptide. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:1090-1106. [PMID: 37846892 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The ovary generally undergoes tissue remodeling during larval to pupal transition, which includes membrane degeneration and ovariole growth. At the same time, the hormones produced by insects significantly change during metamorphosis. However, the regulatory mechanism for ovarian development and hormones is not fully understood in insects. Herein, we found that matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) was highly expressed in the ovarian capsules and ovarioles, and the development was abnormal after knocking out MMP2 in Bombyx mori. The process of abnormal degradation of collagen I due to MMP2 deletion, which resulted in abnormal development of ovarioles and eggs, was analyzed in detail. The proteomics of ovaries in the MMP2-knock out and wild type strains showed a critically significant difference in the expression of a protein, insulin-like peptide (ILP). Additional analysis revealed significant alteration of ILP during ovarian development, and abnormal expression of ILP significantly affected ovarian development in vivo and MMP2 expression in vitro and in vivo. These results showed that MMP2 regulation of ovarian tissue remodeling is closely related to ILP expression. Our study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanism of MMP2 and ovarian development in B. mori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Peng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Sericulture Functional Genomics and Biotechnology of Agricultural Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tai-Hang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Sericulture Functional Genomics and Biotechnology of Agricultural Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Min-Hui Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Key Laboratory for Sericulture Functional Genomics and Biotechnology of Agricultural Ministry, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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2
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Zhou W, Zhao X, Hassan A, Jia B, Liu L, Huang Q. Uncovering the function of insulin receptor substrate in termites' immunity through active immunization. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2024; 24:1. [PMID: 38958928 PMCID: PMC11221318 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieae061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins are key mediators in insulin signaling pathway. In social insect lives, IRS proteins played important roles in caste differentiation and foraging, but there function in disease defenses such as active immunization has not been reported yet. To investigate the issue, we successfully suppressed the IRS gene 3 days after dsRNA injection. Suppressing IRS gene increased the contents of glucose, trehalose, glycogen, and triglyceride and decreased the content of pyruvate in termites, and led to the metabolic disorder of glucose and lipids. IRS suppressing significantly enhanced grooming behaviors of nestmates of fungus-contaminated termites and hence increased the conidial load in the guts of the nestmates. Additionally, IRS suppressing led to significant downregulation of the immune genes Gram-negative bacteria-binding protein2 (GNBP2) and termicin and upregulation of the apoptotic gene caspase8, and hence diminished antifungal activity of nestmates of fungus-contaminated termites. The above abnormal behavioral and physiological responses significantly decreased the survival rate of dsIRS-injected nestmates of the fungus-contaminated termites. These findings suggest that IRS is involved in regulation of active immunization in termites, providing a better understanding of the link between insulin signaling and the social immunity of termites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhou
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xingying Zhao
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ali Hassan
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Bao Jia
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Nanning Institute of Termite Control, Nanning 530023, China
| | - Long Liu
- Henan International Laboratory for Green Pest Control, Henan Engineering Laboratory of Pest Biological Control, College of Plant Protection, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Qiuying Huang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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3
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Melamed D, Choi A, Reilein A, Tavaré S, Kalderon D. Spatial regulation of Drosophila ovarian Follicle Stem Cell division rates and cell cycle transitions. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010965. [PMID: 37747936 PMCID: PMC10553835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila ovarian Follicle Stem Cells (FSCs) present a favorable paradigm for understanding how stem cell division and differentiation are balanced in communities where those activities are independent. FSCs also allow exploration of how this balance is integrated with spatial stem cell heterogeneity. Posterior FSCs become proliferative Follicle Cells (FCs), while anterior FSCs become quiescent Escort Cells (ECs) at about one fourth the frequency. A single stem cell can nevertheless produce both FCs and ECs because it can move between anterior and posterior locations. Studies based on EdU incorporation to approximate division rates suggested that posterior FSCs divide faster than anterior FSCs. However, direct measures of cell cycle times are required to ascertain whether FC output requires a net flow of FSCs from anterior to posterior. Here, by using live imaging and FUCCI cell-cycle reporters, we measured absolute division rates. We found that posterior FSCs cycle more than three times faster than anterior FSCs and produced sufficient new cells to match FC production. H2B-RFP dilution studies supported different cycling rates according to A/P location and facilitated live imaging, showing A/P exchange of FSCs in both directions, consistent with the dynamic equilibrium inferred from division rate measurements. Inversely graded Wnt and JAK-STAT pathway signals regulate FSC differentiation to ECs and FCs. JAK-STAT promotes both differentiation to FCs and FSC cycling, affording some coordination of these activities. When JAK-STAT signaling was manipulated to be spatially uniform, the ratio of posterior to anterior division rates was reduced but remained substantial, showing that graded JAK-STAT signaling only partly explains the graded cycling of FSCs. By using FUCCI markers, we found a prominent G2/M cycling restriction of posterior FSCs together with an A/P graded G1/S restriction, that JAK-STAT signaling promotes both G1/S and G2/M transitions, and that PI3 kinase signaling principally stimulates the G2/M transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Melamed
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York State, United States of America
| | - Aaron Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York State, United States of America
| | - Amy Reilein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York State, United States of America
| | - Simon Tavaré
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York State, United States of America
- Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics & Department of Statistics, Columbia University, New York, New York State, United States of America
| | - Daniel Kalderon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York State, United States of America
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4
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Wilinski D, Dus M. N 6-adenosine methylation controls the translation of insulin mRNA. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:1260-1264. [PMID: 37488356 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-01048-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Control of insulin mRNA translation is crucial for energy homeostasis, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. We discovered that insulin mRNAs across invertebrates, vertebrates and mammals feature the modified base N6-methyladenosine (m6A). In flies, this RNA modification enhances insulin mRNA translation by promoting the association of the transcript with polysomes. Depleting m6A in Drosophila melanogaster insulin 2 mRNA (dilp2) directly through specific 3' untranslated region (UTR) mutations, or indirectly by mutating the m6A writer Mettl3, decreases dilp2 protein production, leading to aberrant energy homeostasis and diabetic-like phenotypes. Together, our findings reveal adenosine mRNA methylation as a key regulator of insulin protein synthesis with notable implications for energy balance and metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wilinski
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Monica Dus
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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5
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Abuhattum S, Kotzbeck P, Schlüßler R, Harger A, Ariza de Schellenberger A, Kim K, Escolano JC, Müller T, Braun J, Wabitsch M, Tschöp M, Sack I, Brankatschk M, Guck J, Stemmer K, Taubenberger AV. Adipose cells and tissues soften with lipid accumulation while in diabetes adipose tissue stiffens. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10325. [PMID: 35725987 PMCID: PMC9209483 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13324-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue expansion involves both differentiation of new precursors and size increase of mature adipocytes. While the two processes are well balanced in healthy tissues, obesity and diabetes type II are associated with abnormally enlarged adipocytes and excess lipid accumulation. Previous studies suggested a link between cell stiffness, volume and stem cell differentiation, although in the context of preadipocytes, there have been contradictory results regarding stiffness changes with differentiation. Thus, we set out to quantitatively monitor adipocyte shape and size changes with differentiation and lipid accumulation. We quantified by optical diffraction tomography that differentiating preadipocytes increased their volumes drastically. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-indentation and -microrheology revealed that during the early phase of differentiation, human preadipocytes became more compliant and more fluid-like, concomitant with ROCK-mediated F-actin remodelling. Adipocytes that had accumulated large lipid droplets were more compliant, and further promoting lipid accumulation led to an even more compliant phenotype. In line with that, high fat diet-induced obesity was associated with more compliant adipose tissue compared to lean animals, both for drosophila fat bodies and murine gonadal adipose tissue. In contrast, adipose tissue of diabetic mice became significantly stiffer as shown not only by AFM but also magnetic resonance elastography. Altogether, we dissect relative contributions of the cytoskeleton and lipid droplets to cell and tissue mechanical changes across different functional states, such as differentiation, nutritional state and disease. Our work therefore sets the basis for future explorations on how tissue mechanical changes influence the behaviour of mechanosensitive tissue-resident cells in metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shada Abuhattum
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum Für Physik Und Medizin, Staudtstr. 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Petra Kotzbeck
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt GmbH, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 2, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Raimund Schlüßler
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexandra Harger
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt GmbH, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Angela Ariza de Schellenberger
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kyoohyun Kim
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum Für Physik Und Medizin, Staudtstr. 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Joan-Carles Escolano
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum Für Physik Und Medizin, Staudtstr. 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Torsten Müller
- JPK Instruments/Bruker, Colditzstr. 34-36, 12099, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Braun
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Wabitsch
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Eythstr. 24, 89075, Ulm, Germany
| | - Matthias Tschöp
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt GmbH, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ingolf Sack
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marko Brankatschk
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jochen Guck
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Max-Planck-Zentrum Für Physik Und Medizin, Staudtstr. 2, 91058, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Stemmer
- Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum Für Gesundheit Und Umwelt GmbH, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Theoretical Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Universitätsstrasse 2, 86159, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Anna V Taubenberger
- Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Tatzberg 47-51, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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6
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Mascolo E, Liguori F, Merigliano C, Schiano L, Gnocchini E, Pilesi E, Volonté C, Di Salvo ML, Contestabile R, Tramonti A, Vernì F. Vitamin B6 rescues insulin resistance and glucose-induced DNA damage caused by reduced activity of Drosophila PI3K. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:3578-3586. [PMID: 35678366 PMCID: PMC9545242 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The insulin signaling pathway controls cell growth and metabolism, thus its deregulation is associated with both cancer and diabetes. Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) contributes to the cascade of phosphorylation events occurring in the insulin pathway by activating the protein kinase B (PKB/AKT), which phosphorylates several substrates, including those involved in glucose uptake and storage. PI3K inactivating mutations are associated with insulin resistance while activating mutations are identified in human cancers. Here we show that RNAi‐induced depletion of the Drosophila PI3K catalytic subunit (Dp110) results in diabetic phenotypes such as hyperglycemia, body size reduction, and decreased glycogen content. Interestingly, we found that hyperglycemia produces chromosome aberrations (CABs) triggered by the accumulation of advanced glycation end‐products and reactive oxygen species. Rearing PI3KRNAi flies in a medium supplemented with pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP; the catalytically active form of vitamin B6) rescues DNA damage while, in contrast, treating PI3KRNAi larvae with the PLP inhibitor 4‐deoxypyridoxine strongly enhances CAB frequency. Interestingly, PLP supplementation rescues also diabetic phenotypes. Taken together, our results provide a strong link between impaired PI3K activity and genomic instability, a crucial relationship that needs to be monitored not only in diabetes due to impaired insulin signaling but also in cancer therapies based on PI3K inhibitors. In addition, our findings confirm the notion that vitamin B6 is a good natural remedy to counteract insulin resistance and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Mascolo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Merigliano
- Department of Molecular and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ludovica Schiano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Gnocchini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Pilesi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", National Research Council (IASI-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Martino L Di Salvo
- Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Contestabile
- Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Tramonti
- Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti and Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council (IBPM-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Vernì
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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7
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Meshrif WS, El Husseiny IM, Elbrense H. Drosophila melanogaster as a low-cost and valuable model for studying type 2 diabetes. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 337:457-466. [PMID: 35189046 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster has been used as the most successful invertebrate model for studying metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). We induced T2D by feeding Drosophila larvae on a high-sugar diet (HSD). The glucose and trehalose, glycogen, lipid, triglyceride, and protein levels were determined in HSD-fed larvae. Moreover, larval food intake, water content, size, and weight in addition to the development until pupation were observed. Levels of Drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILPs 2, 3, and 5), as well as adipokinetic hormone (AKH), were also determined in HSD-fed larvae by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that HSD could induce elevated levels of glucose, trehalose, glycogen, and proteins in larvae. The larvae consumed less food intake and were smaller, lighter, and less developed on HSD than those on the control diet. Moreover, the water content of larvae fed HSD was similar to that fed the control diet. HSD induced higher expression of DILP3 and AKH, confirming hyperglycemia with insulin resistance. In sum, Drosophila offers an appropriate model for quick and inexpensive in vivo experimentation on human metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesam S Meshrif
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Iman M El Husseiny
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Hanaa Elbrense
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
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8
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Xu KK, Yan Y, Yan SY, Xia PL, Yang WJ, Li C, Yang H. Disruption of the Serine/Threonine Kinase Akt Gene Affects Ovarian Development and Fecundity in the Cigarette Beetle, Lasioderma serricorne. Front Physiol 2021; 12:765819. [PMID: 34690822 PMCID: PMC8529032 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.765819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine/threonine kinase Akt, an important component of the insulin signaling pathway, plays an essential role in many physiological processes. In this study, we identified and characterized an Akt gene (designated LsAkt) from the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne. LsAkt contains a 1614 bp open reading frame encoding a 537 amino acid protein that possesses a conserved pleckstrin homology domain and a serine/threonine kinase domain. The expression of LsAkt was high in pupal stages and peaked in day-4 female pupae. In adult tissues, LsAkt was highly expressed in the thorax, ovary, and midgut. The expression of LsAkt was induced by methoprene or bovine insulin in vivo, but significantly decreased by 20-hydroxyecdysone. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of LsAkt resulted in severely blocked ovarian development and reduced fecundity and hatchability. The vitellogenin (Vg) content and juvenile hormone (JH) titers of LsAkt-depletion beetles were decreased, and expressions of Vg and four JH signaling and biosynthetic genes were significantly decreased. Silencing of LsAkt reduced the amounts of glucose, glycogen, and trehalose in female adults and affected the expressions of seven key carbohydrate metabolic genes. Taken together, it is inferred that Akt implicates in L. serricorne reproduction by modification of Vg synthesis, juvenile hormone production and carbohydrate metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang-Kang Xu
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yi Yan
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Shu-Yan Yan
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | | | - Wen-Jia Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Can Li
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Rare Animal and Economic Insect of the Mountainous Region, College of Biology and Environmental Engineering, Guiyang University, Guiyang, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Agricultural Pest Management of Mountainous Region, Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,College of Tobacco Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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9
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Control of Cell Growth and Proliferation by the Tribbles Pseudokinase: Lessons from Drosophila. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040883. [PMID: 33672471 PMCID: PMC7923445 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tribbles pseudokinases represent a sub-branch of the CAMK (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase) subfamily and are associated with disease-associated signaling pathways associated with various cancers, including melanoma, lung, liver, and acute leukemia. The ability of this class of molecules to regulate cell proliferation was first recognized in the model organism Drosophila and the fruit fly genetic model and continues to provide insight into the molecular mechanism by which this family of adapter molecules regulates both normal development and disease associated with corruption of their proper regulation and function. Abstract The Tribbles (Trib) family of pseudokinase proteins regulate cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation during normal development and in response to environmental stress. Mutations in human Trib isoforms (Trib1, 2, and 3) have been associated with metabolic disease and linked to leukemia and the formation of solid tumors, including melanomas, hepatomas, and lung cancers. Drosophila Tribbles (Trbl) was the first identified member of this sub-family of pseudokinases and shares a conserved structure and similar functions to bind and direct the degradation of key mediators of cell growth and proliferation. Common Trib targets include Akt kinase (also known as protein kinase B), C/EBP (CAAT/enhancer binding protein) transcription factors, and Cdc25 phosphatases, leading to the notion that Trib family members stand athwart multiple pathways modulating their growth-promoting activities. Recent work using the Drosophila model has provided important insights into novel facets of conserved Tribbles functions in stem cell quiescence, tissue regeneration, metabolism connected to insulin signaling, and tumor formation linked to the Hippo signaling pathway. Here we highlight some of these recent studies and discuss their implications for understanding the complex roles Tribs play in cancers and disease pathologies.
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10
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Wang J, Ran LL, Li Y, Liu YH. Comparative proteomics provides insights into diapause program of Bactrocera minax (Diptera: Tephritidae). PLoS One 2021; 15:e0244493. [PMID: 33382763 PMCID: PMC7774860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Chinese citrus fly, Bactrocera minax, is a notorious univoltine pest that causes damage to citrus. B. minax enters obligatory pupal diapause in each generation to resist harsh environmental conditions in winter. Despite the enormous efforts that have been made in the past decade, the understanding of pupal diapause of B. minax is currently still fragmentary. In this study, the 20-hydroxyecdysone solution and ethanol solvent was injected into newly-formed pupae to obtain non-diapause- (ND) and diapause-destined (D) pupae, respectively, and a comparative proteomics analysis between ND and D pupae was performed 1 and 15 d after injection. A total of 3,255 proteins were identified, of which 190 and 463 were found to be differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in ND1 vs D1 and ND15 vs D15 comparisons, respectively. The reliability and accuracy of LFQ method was validated by qRT-PCR. Functional analyses of DAPs, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, were conducted. The results revealed that the diapause program of B. minax is closely associated with several physiological activities, such as phosphorylation, chitin biosynthesis, autophagy, signaling pathways, endocytosis, skeletal muscle formation, protein metabolism, and core metabolic pathways of carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid conversion. The findings of this study provide insights into diapause program of B. minax and lay a basis for further investigation into its underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Institute of Entomology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Li-Lin Ran
- College of Plant Protection, Institute of Entomology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Li
- College of Plant Protection, Institute of Entomology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying-Hong Liu
- College of Plant Protection, Institute of Entomology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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11
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Silva-Oliveira G, De Paula IF, Medina JM, Alves-Bezerra M, Gondim KC. Insulin receptor deficiency reduces lipid synthesis and reproductive function in the insect Rhodnius prolixus. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2020; 1866:158851. [PMID: 33160077 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Rhodnius prolixus, a vector of Chagas disease, is a hematophagous insect that feeds exclusively on blood. Each blood meal is digested within the first fourteen days after feeding, providing substrates for lipid synthesis for storage and egg production. These events are precisely regulated and emerging evidence points to a key function of insulin-like peptides (ILPs) in this control. Here we investigated the role of insulin receptor in the regulation of nutrient metabolism in fed adult females. The expression of insulin receptor (RhoprIR) gene was determined in adult organs, and it was highest in ovaries and previtellogenic follicles. We generated insects with RNAi-mediated knockdown of RhoprIR to address the physiological role of this receptor. RhoprIR deficiency improved longevity and reduced triacylglycerol storage in the fat body, whereas blood digestion remained unchanged for seven days after blood meal. The lower lipid content was attributable to decreased de novo lipogenesis as well as reduced incorporation of hemolymph-derived fatty acids into newly synthesized lipids within this organ. Consistent with that, fat bodies from RhoprIR-deficient insects exhibited decreased gene expression levels of lipophorin receptor (RhoprLpR), glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 and 4 (RhoprGpat1 and RhoprGpat4), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (RhoprCpt1). Although hemolymph lipid profile was not affected by RhoprIR disruption, the concentration of circulating vitellogenin was increased. In line with these changes, RhoprIR-deficient females exhibited smaller ovaries and a marked reduction in oviposition. Taken together, these findings support a key role of insulin receptor in nutrient homeostasis, lipid synthesis and egg production following a blood meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleidson Silva-Oliveira
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Iron F De Paula
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge M Medina
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Michele Alves-Bezerra
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Katia C Gondim
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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12
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Insulin and Leptin/Upd2 Exert Opposing Influences on Synapse Number in Fat-Sensing Neurons. Cell Metab 2020; 32:786-800.e7. [PMID: 32976758 PMCID: PMC7642105 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Energy-sensing neural circuits decide to expend or conserve resources based, in part, on the tonic, steady-state, energy-store information they receive. Tonic signals, in the form of adipose tissue-derived adipokines, set the baseline level of activity in the energy-sensing neurons, thereby providing context for interpretation of additional inputs. However, the mechanism by which tonic adipokine information establishes steady-state neuronal function has heretofore been unclear. We show here that under conditions of nutrient surplus, Upd2, a Drosophila leptin ortholog, regulates actin-based synapse reorganization to reduce bouton number in an inhibitory circuit, thus establishing a neural tone that is permissive for insulin release. Unexpectedly, we found that insulin feeds back on these same inhibitory neurons to conversely increase bouton number, resulting in maintenance of negative tone. Our results point to a mechanism by which two surplus-sensing hormonal systems, Upd2/leptin and insulin, converge on a neuronal circuit with opposing outcomes to establish energy-store-dependent neuron activity.
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13
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Ahmad M, He L, Perrimon N. Regulation of insulin and adipokinetic hormone/glucagon production in flies. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 9:e360. [PMID: 31379062 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic homeostasis is under strict regulation of humoral factors across various taxa. In particular, insulin and glucagon, referred to in Drosophila as Drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILPs) and adipokinetic hormone (AKH), respectively, are key hormones that regulate metabolism in most metazoa. While much is known about the regulation of DILPs, the mechanisms regulating AKH/glucagon production is still poorly understood. In this review, we describe the various factors that regulate the production of DILPs and AKH and emphasize the need for future studies to decipher how energy homeostasis is governed in Drosophila. This article is categorized under: Invertebrate Organogenesis > Flies Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ahmad
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Li He
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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14
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Rotwein P. Characterizing the complexity of Australian marsupial insulin-like growth factor 1 genes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 488:52-69. [PMID: 30871962 PMCID: PMC6996716 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) actions are essential for somatic growth and tissue repair. IGF1 gene regulation is controlled by many inputs, with growth hormone playing a major role. In most mammals, the 6-exon IGF1/Igf1 gene produces multiple transcripts via independent activity of its promoters plus alternative RNA splicing and differential polyadenylation. Here, by analyzing public genomic and RNA-sequencing repositories, I have characterized three Australian marsupial IGF1 genes. Koala, Tasmanian devil, and wallaby IGF1 are more complicated than other mammals, as they contain up to 11 exons, and encode multiple mRNAs and predicted protein precursors, including potentially novel isoforms. Moreover, just two of multiple growth hormone-stimulated transcriptional enhancers found in other IGF1/Igf1 loci are detected in these species. These observations define Australian marsupial IGF1 genes and demonstrate that comprehensive interrogation of genomic and RNA-sequencing resources is an effective strategy for characterizing genes and gene expression in otherwise experimentally intractable organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rotwein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
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15
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Using Mouse and Drosophila Models to Investigate the Mechanistic Links between Diet, Obesity, Type II Diabetes, and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19124110. [PMID: 30567377 PMCID: PMC6320797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19124110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many of the links between diet and cancer are controversial and over simplified. To date, human epidemiological studies consistently reveal that patients who suffer diet-related obesity and/or type II diabetes have an increased risk of cancer, suffer more aggressive cancers, and respond poorly to current therapies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that increase cancer risk and decrease the response to cancer therapies in these patients remain largely unknown. Here, we review studies in mouse cancer models in which either dietary or genetic manipulation has been used to model obesity and/or type II diabetes. These studies demonstrate an emerging role for the conserved insulin and insulin-like growth factor signaling pathways as links between diet and cancer progression. However, these models are time consuming to develop and expensive to maintain. As the world faces an epidemic of obesity and type II diabetes we argue that the development of novel animal models is urgently required. We make the case for Drosophila as providing an unparalleled opportunity to combine dietary manipulation with models of human metabolic disease and cancer. Thus, combining diet and cancer models in Drosophila can rapidly and significantly advance our understanding of the conserved molecular mechanisms that link diet and diet-related metabolic disorders to poor cancer patient prognosis.
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16
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Trinh I, Gluscencova OB, Boulianne GL. An in vivo screen for neuronal genes involved in obesity identifies Diacylglycerol kinase as a regulator of insulin secretion. Mol Metab 2018; 19:13-23. [PMID: 30389349 PMCID: PMC6323187 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Obesity is a complex disorder involving many genetic and environmental factors that are required to maintain energy homeostasis. While studies in human populations have led to significant progress in the generation of an obesity gene map and broadened our understanding of the genetic basis of common obesity, there is still a large portion of heritability and etiology that remains unknown. Here, we have used the genetically tractable fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to identify genes/pathways that function in the nervous system to regulate energy balance. Methods We performed an in vivo RNAi screen in Drosophila neurons and assayed for obese or lean phenotypes by measuring changes in levels of stored fats (in the form of triacylglycerides or TAG). Three rounds of screening were performed to verify the reproducibility and specificity of the adiposity phenotypes. Genes that produced >25% increase in TAG (206 in total) underwent a second round of screening to verify their effect on TAG levels by retesting the same RNAi line to validate the phenotype. All remaining hits were screened a third time by testing the TAG levels of additional RNAi lines against the genes of interest to rule out any off-target effects. Results We identified 24 genes including 20 genes that have not been previously associated with energy homeostasis. One identified hit, Diacylglycerol kinase (Dgk), has mammalian homologues that have been implicated in genome-wide association studies for metabolic defects. Downregulation of neuronal Dgk levels increases TAG and carbohydrate levels and these phenotypes can be recapitulated by reducing Dgk levels specifically within the insulin-producing cells that secrete Drosophila insulin-like peptides (dILPs). Conversely, overexpression of kinase-dead Dgk, but not wild-type, decreased circulating dILP2 and dILP5 levels resulting in lower insulin signalling activity. Despite having higher circulating dILP levels, Dgk RNAi flies have decreased pathway activity suggesting that they are insulin-resistant. Conclusion Altogether, we have identified several genes that act within the CNS to regulate energy homeostasis. One of these, Dgk, acts within the insulin-producing cells to regulate the secretion of dILPs and energy homeostasis in Drosophila. RNAi screen in neurons identifies 24 regulators of energy homeostasis. One of the hits, Dgk, affects lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis. Dgk acts within the IPCs to regulate dILP secretion and insulin signalling activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Trinh
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, M5G 0A6, Canada.
| | - Oxana B Gluscencova
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, M5G 0A6, Canada.
| | - Gabrielle L Boulianne
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Center for Research and Learning, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, M5G 0A6, Canada.
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17
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Rotwein P. The insulin-like growth factor 2 gene and locus in nonmammalian vertebrates: Organizational simplicity with duplication but limited divergence in fish. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:15912-15932. [PMID: 30154247 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The small, secreted peptide, insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), is essential for fetal and prenatal growth in humans and other mammals. Human IGF2 and mouse Igf2 genes are located within a conserved linkage group and are regulated by parental imprinting, with IGF2/Igf2 being expressed from the paternally derived chromosome, and H19 from the maternal chromosome. Here, data retrieved from genomic and gene expression repositories were used to examine the Igf2 gene and locus in 8 terrestrial vertebrates, 11 ray-finned fish, and 1 lobe-finned fish representing >500 million years of evolutionary diversification. The analysis revealed that vertebrate Igf2 genes are simpler than their mammalian counterparts, having fewer exons and lacking multiple gene promoters. Igf2 genes are conserved among these species, especially in protein-coding regions, and IGF2 proteins also are conserved, although less so in fish than in terrestrial vertebrates. The Igf2 locus in terrestrial vertebrates shares additional genes with its mammalian counterparts, including tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), insulin (Ins), mitochondrial ribosomal protein L23 (Mrpl23), and troponin T3, fast skeletal type (Tnnt3), and both Th and Mrpl23 are present in the Igf2 locus in fish. Taken together, these observations support the idea that a recognizable Igf2 was present in the earliest vertebrate ancestors, but that other features developed and diversified in the gene and locus with speciation, especially in mammals. This study also highlights the need for correcting inaccuracies in genome databases to maximize our ability to accurately assess contributions of individual genes and multigene families toward evolution, physiology, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rotwein
- From the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas 79905
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18
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Gáliková M, Dircksen H, Nässel DR. The thirsty fly: Ion transport peptide (ITP) is a novel endocrine regulator of water homeostasis in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007618. [PMID: 30138334 PMCID: PMC6124785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals need to continuously adjust their water metabolism to the internal and external conditions. Homeostasis of body fluids thus requires tight regulation of water intake and excretion, and a balance between ingestion of water and solid food. Here, we investigated how these processes are coordinated in Drosophila melanogaster. We identified the first thirst-promoting and anti-diuretic hormone of Drosophila, encoded by the gene Ion transport peptide (ITP). This endocrine regulator belongs to the CHH (crustacean hyperglycemic hormone) family of peptide hormones. Using genetic gain- and loss-of-function experiments, we show that ITP signaling acts analogous to the human vasopressin and renin-angiotensin systems; expression of ITP is elevated by dehydration of the fly, and the peptide increases thirst while repressing excretion, promoting thus conservation of water resources. ITP responds to both osmotic and desiccation stress, and dysregulation of ITP signaling compromises the fly's ability to cope with these stressors. In addition to the regulation of thirst and excretion, ITP also suppresses food intake. Altogether, our work identifies ITP as an important endocrine regulator of thirst and excretion, which integrates water homeostasis with feeding of Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dick R. Nässel
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Wang Y, Moussian B, Schaeffeler E, Schwab M, Nies AT. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as an innovative preclinical ADME model for solute carrier membrane transporters, with consequences for pharmacology and drug therapy. Drug Discov Today 2018; 23:1746-1760. [PMID: 29890226 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Solute carrier membrane transporters (SLCs) control cell exposure to small-molecule drugs, thereby contributing to drug efficacy and failure and/or adverse effects. Moreover, SLCs are genetically linked to various diseases. Hence, in-depth knowledge of SLC function is fundamental for a better understanding of disease pathophysiology and the drug development process. Given that the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) expresses SLCs, such as for the excretion of endogenous and toxic compounds by the hindgut and Malpighian tubules, equivalent to human intestine and kidney, this system appears to be a promising preclinical model to use to study human SLCs. Here, we systematically compare current knowledge of SLCs in Drosophila and humans and describe the Drosophila model as an innovative tool for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Wang
- Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany; Animal Genetics, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Animal Genetics, University of Tübingen, Germany; Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBV, Nice, France; Applied Zoology, TU Dresden, Germany
| | - Elke Schaeffeler
- Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany; University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany; University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Anne T Nies
- Dr Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, Germany; University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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20
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Rotwein P. Similarity and variation in the insulin-like growth factor 2 - H19 locus in primates. Physiol Genomics 2018; 50:425-439. [PMID: 29602297 PMCID: PMC6032289 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00030.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a small, secreted protein, is critical for fetal and prenatal growth in humans and other mammals. The IGF2 gene and its mouse homolog comprise part of a conserved linkage group that is regulated by parental imprinting, with IGF2/ Igf2 being expressed from the paternal chromosome, and the adjacent H19 gene from the maternal chromosome. By using information extracted from public genomic and gene expression databases, I have now analyzed this locus in nine nonhuman primate species representing over 60 million years of evolutionary divergence from a common progenitor. Both IGF2 and H19 genes and the entire locus have been conserved among these primates. Each primate IGF2 gene except for gibbon and marmoset is composed of 10 exons and contains five potential promoters, each with distinctive 5'-untranslated exons. Similarly, except for marmoset and mouse lemur, H19 consists of six exons and has two promoters. DNA sequence conservation is high, not only in orthologous exons and promoters, but also in a putative imprinting control region located 5' to H19 and in multiple potential distal enhancer elements found 3' to H19. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that common regulatory processes shaped the IGF2 - H19 locus before the onset of primate speciation more than 85 million years ago. This study also leads to the conclusion that inaccuracies in data presentation in genetic repositories could limit our ability to develop novel insights about roles of individual genes and multigene loci in mammalian physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rotwein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health University Health Sciences Center , El Paso, Texas
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21
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Rotwein P. Insulinlike Growth Factor 1 Gene Variation in Vertebrates. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2288-2305. [PMID: 29697760 PMCID: PMC6692883 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
IGF1-a small, single-chain, secreted peptide in mammals-is essential for normal somatic growth and is involved in a variety of other physiological and pathophysiological processes. IGF1 expression appears to be controlled by several different signaling mechanisms in mammals, with GH playing a key role by activating an inducible transcriptional pathway via the Jak2 protein kinase and the Stat5b transcription factor. Here, to understand aspects of Igf1 gene regulation over a substantially longer timeline than is discernible in mammals, Igf1 genes have been examined in 21 different nonmammalian vertebrates representing five different classes and ranging over ∼500 million years of evolutionary history. Parts of vertebrate Igf1 genes resemble components found in mammals. Conserved exons encoding the mature IGF1 protein are detected in all 21 species studied and are separated by a large intron, as seen in mammals; the single promoter contains putative regulatory elements that are similar to those functionally mapped in human IGF1 promoter 1. In contrast, GH-activated Stat5b-binding enhancers found in mammalian IGF1 loci are completely absent, there is no homolog of promoter 2 or exon 2 in any nonmammalian vertebrate, and different types of "extra" exons not present in mammals are found in birds, reptiles, and teleosts. These data collectively define properties of Igf1 genes and IGF1 proteins that were likely present in the earliest vertebrates and support the contention that common structural and regulatory features in Igf1 genes have a long evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rotwein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas
- Correspondence: Peter Rotwein, MD, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 5001 El Paso Drive, El Paso, Texas 79905. E-mail:
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22
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Fischer Z, Das R, Shipman A, Fan JY, Pence L, Bouyain S, Dobens LL. A Drosophila model of insulin resistance associated with the human TRIB3 Q/R polymorphism. Dis Model Mech 2017; 10:1453-1464. [PMID: 29025897 PMCID: PMC5769606 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.030619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Tribbles family of proteins are conserved pseudokinases with diverse roles in cell growth and proliferation. Both Drosophila Tribbles (Trbl) and vertebrate Trib3 proteins bind to the kinase Akt (Akt1) to block its phosphorylation activation and reduce downstream insulin-stimulated anabolism. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variant in human TRIB3, which results in a glutamine (Q) to arginine (R) missense mutation in a conserved motif at position 84, confers stronger Akt binding, resulting in reduced Akt phosphorylation, and is associated with a predisposition to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease and leukemogenesis. Here, we used a Drosophila model to understand the importance of the conserved R residue in several Trbl functions. In the fly fat body, misexpression of a site-directed Q mutation at position R141 resulted in weakened binding to Drosophila Akt (dAkt), leading to increased levels of phospho-dAkt, increased cell and tissue size, and increases in the levels of stored glycogen and triglycerides. Consistent with the functional conservation of this arginine in modulating Akt activity, mouse Trib3 R84 misexpressed in the fly fat body blocked dAkt phosphorylation with a strength similar to wild-type Trbl. Limited mutational analysis shows that the R141 site dictates the strength of Akt binding but does not affect other Trbl-dependent developmental processes, suggesting a specificity that could serve as a drug target for metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Fischer
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Rahul Das
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Anna Shipman
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Jin-Yuan Fan
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Laramie Pence
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Samuel Bouyain
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Leonard L Dobens
- Division of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
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23
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Rotwein P. Diversification of the insulin-like growth factor 1 gene in mammals. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189642. [PMID: 29240807 PMCID: PMC5730178 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), a small, secreted peptide growth factor, is involved in a variety of physiological and patho-physiological processes, including somatic growth, tissue repair, and metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. IGF1 gene expression appears to be controlled by several different signaling cascades in the few species in which it has been evaluated, with growth hormone playing a major role by activating a pathway involving the Stat5b transcription factor. Here, genes encoding IGF1 have been evaluated in 25 different mammalian species representing 15 different orders and ranging over ~180 million years of evolutionary diversification. Parts of the IGF1 gene have been fairly well conserved. Like rat Igf1 and human IGF1, 21 of 23 other genes are composed of 6 exons and 5 introns, and all 23 also contain recognizable tandem promoters, each with a unique leader exon. Exon and intron lengths are similar in most species, and DNA sequence conservation is moderately high in orthologous exons and proximal promoter regions. In contrast, putative growth hormone-activated Stat5b-binding enhancers found in analogous locations in rodent Igf1 and in human IGF1 loci, have undergone substantial variation in other mammals, and a processed retro-transposed IGF1 pseudogene is found in the sloth locus, but not in other mammalian genomes. Taken together, the fairly high level of organizational and nucleotide sequence similarity in the IGF1 gene among these 25 species supports the contention that some common regulatory pathways had existed prior to the beginning of mammalian speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rotwein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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Megha , Hasan G. Control of protein translation by IP 3R-mediated Ca 2+ release in Drosophila neuroendocrine cells. Fly (Austin) 2017; 11:0. [PMID: 28949794 PMCID: PMC5721944 DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2017.1384103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is one of two Ca2+ channels that gates Ca2+ release from ER-stores. The ligand IP3, generated upon specific G-protein coupled receptor activation, binds to IP3R to release Ca2+ into the cytosol. IP3R also mediates ER-store Ca2+ release into the mitochondria, under basal as well as stimulatory conditions; an activity that influences cellular bioenergetics and thus, cellular growth and proliferation. In Drosophila neuroendocrine cells expressing a hypomorphic mutant of IP3R, we observed reduced protein translation levels. Here, we discuss the possible molecular mechanism for this observation. We hypothesise that the cellular energy sensor, AMPK connects IP3R mediated Ca2+ release into the mitochondria, to protein translation, via the TOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha
- National Centre for Biological Sciences-TIFR, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, India
| | - Gaiti Hasan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences-TIFR, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, India
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25
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Conceptual framework of the eco-physiological phases of insect diapause development justified by transcriptomic profiling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:8532-8537. [PMID: 28720705 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707281114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects often overcome unfavorable seasons in a hormonally regulated state of diapause during which their activity ceases, development is arrested, metabolic rate is suppressed, and tolerance of environmental stress is bolstered. Diapausing insects pass through a stereotypic succession of eco-physiological phases termed "diapause development." The phasing is varied in the literature, and the whole concept is sometimes criticized as being too artificial. Here we present the results of transcriptional profiling using custom microarrays representing 1,042 genes in the drosophilid fly, Chymomyza costata Fully grown, third-instar larvae programmed for diapause by a photoperiodic (short-day) signal were assayed as they traversed the diapause developmental program. When analyzing the gradual dynamics in the transcriptomic profile, we could readily distinguish distinct diapause developmental phases associated with induction/initiation, maintenance, cold acclimation, and termination by cold or by photoperiodic signal. Accordingly, each phase is characterized by a specific pattern of gene expression, supporting the physiological relevance of the concept of diapause phasing. Further, we have dissected in greater detail the changes in transcript levels of elements of several signaling pathways considered critical for diapause regulation. The phase of diapause termination is associated with enhanced transcript levels in several positive elements stimulating direct development (the 20-hydroxyecdysone pathway: Ecr, Shd, Broad; the Wnt pathway: basket, c-jun) that are countered by up-regulation in some negative elements (the insulin-signaling pathway: Ilp8, PI3k, Akt; the target of rapamycin pathway: Tsc2 and 4EBP; the Wnt pathway: shaggy). We speculate such up-regulations may represent the early steps linked to termination of diapause programming.
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Rotwein P. Variation in the Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Gene in Primates. Endocrinology 2017; 158:804-814. [PMID: 28324014 PMCID: PMC5460808 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a multifunctional peptide that is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological processes in many animal species, ranging from somatic growth in children to metabolism and tissue regeneration and repair in adults. The IGF1 gene is under multifactorial regulation in the few species in which it has been studied, with major control being exerted by growth hormone through a gene expression pathway involving inducible binding of the STAT5b transcription factor to dispersed enhancer elements. In this study, using resources available in public genomic databases, genes encoding IGF1 have been analyzed in a cohort of six nonhuman primate species representing >60 million years of evolutionary diversification from a common ancestor: chimpanzee, gorilla, macaque, olive baboon, marmoset, and mouse lemur. The IGF1 gene has been well conserved among these primates. Similar to human IGF1, each gene appears to be composed of six exons and five introns, and contains recognizable tandem promoters, each with a unique leader exon. Exon and intron lengths are very similar, and DNA sequence conservation is high, not only in orthologous exons and promoter regions, but also in putative growth hormone-activated STAT5b-binding enhancers that are found in analogous locations in IGF1 intron 3 and in 5' distal intergenic DNA. Taken together, the high level of organizational and nucleotide sequence similarity in the IGF1 gene and locus among these seven species supports the contention that common regulatory paradigms had existed prior to the onset of primate speciation >85 million years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rotwein
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech Health University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas 79905
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27
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Emfinger CH, Welscher A, Yan Z, Wang Y, Conway H, Moss JB, Moss LG, Remedi MS, Nichols CG. Expression and function of ATP-dependent potassium channels in zebrafish islet β-cells. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:160808. [PMID: 28386438 PMCID: PMC5367309 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) are critical nutrient sensors in many mammalian tissues. In the pancreas, KATP channels are essential for coupling glucose metabolism to insulin secretion. While orthologous genes for many components of metabolism-secretion coupling in mammals are present in lower vertebrates, their expression, functionality and ultimate impact on body glucose homeostasis are unclear. In this paper, we demonstrate that zebrafish islet β-cells express functional KATP channels of similar subunit composition, structure and metabolic sensitivity to their mammalian counterparts. We further show that pharmacological activation of native zebrafish KATP using diazoxide, a specific KATP channel opener, is sufficient to disturb glucose tolerance in adult zebrafish. That β-cell KATP channel expression and function are conserved between zebrafish and mammals illustrates the evolutionary conservation of islet metabolic sensing from fish to humans, and lends relevance to the use of zebrafish to model islet glucose sensing and diseases of membrane excitability such as neonatal diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H. Emfinger
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alecia Welscher
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Zihan Yan
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yixi Wang
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hannah Conway
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jennifer B. Moss
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition and DMPI, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Larry G. Moss
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition and DMPI, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Maria S. Remedi
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Colin G. Nichols
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
- Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Diseases, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
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28
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Abstract
Despite the importance of insulin signaling pathways in human disease, initial concerns that insect physiology and sugar metabolism differ enough from humans that flies would not model human disease hampered research in this area. However, during the past 10-15 years, evidence has accumulated that flies can indeed model various aspects of diabetes and related human disorders. This cluster of diseases impact insulin and insulin signaling pathways, fields which have been discussed in many excellent review articles in recent years. In this chapter, we restrict our focus to specific examples of diabetes-related disease models in Drosophila, discussing the advantages and limitations of these models in light of physiological similarities and differences between insects and mammals. We discuss features of metabolism and sugar regulation that are shared between flies and mammals, and specific Drosophila models for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, Metabolic syndrome, and related abnormalities including insulin resistance and heart disease. We conclude that fly models for diabetes and related disorders enhance our ability to identify genes and discern functional interactions that can be exploited for disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Graham
- University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - L Pick
- University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States.
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