Longer lifespan, altered metabolism, and stress resistance in Drosophila from ablation of cells making insulin-like ligands.
The insulin/insulin-like growth factor-like signaling pathway, present in all multicellular organisms, regulates diverse functions including growth, development, fecundity, metabolic homeostasis, and lifespan. In flies, ligands of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-like signaling pathway, the Drosophila insulin-like peptides, regulate growth and hemolymph carbohydrate homeostasis during development and are expressed in a stage- and tissue-specific manner. Here, we show that ablation of Drosophila insulin-like peptide-producing median neurosecretory cells in the brain leads to increased fasting glucose levels in the hemolymph of adults similar to that found in diabetic mammals. They also exhibit increased storage of lipid and carbohydrate, reduced fecundity, and reduced tolerance of heat and cold. However, the ablated flies show an extension of median and maximal lifespan and increased resistance to oxidative stress and starvation.
Broughton
Susan J
SJ
Department of Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
Piper
Matthew D W
MD
Ikeya
Tomoatsu
T
Bass
Timothy M
TM
Jacobson
Jake
J
Driege
Yasmine
Y
Martinez
Pedro
P
Hafen
Ernst
E
Withers
Dominic J
DJ
Leevers
Sally J
SJ
Partridge
Linda
L
D000818:Animals; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D004330:Drosophila / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005298:Fertility; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008136:Longevity; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000502:physiology*; D013217:Starvation
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D013002:Somatomedins