dFatp regulates nutrient distribution and long-term physiology in Drosophila.
Nutrient allocation and usage plays an important part in regulating the onset and progression of age-related functional declines. Here, we describe a heterozygous mutation in Drosophila (dFatp) that alters nutrient distribution and multiple aspects of physiology. dFatp mutants have increased lifespan and stress resistance, altered feeding behavior and fat storage, and increased mobility. Concurrently, mutants experience impairment of cardiac function. We show that endurance exercise reverses increased lipid storage in the myocardium and the deleterious cardiac function conferred by dFatp mutation. These findings establish a novel conserved genetic target for regulating lifespan and physiology in aging animals. These findings also highlight the importance of varying exercise conditions in assessing aging functions of model organisms.
Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Alyson
A
Sujkowski
Samantha
S
Saunders
Martin
M
Tinkerhess
Nicole
N
Piazza
Joanna
J
Jennens
Lindsey
L
Healy
Li
L
Zheng
Robert
R
Wessells
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology*; D050612:Fatty Acid Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006579:Heterozygote; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D050612:Fatty Acid Transport Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D006003:Glycogen