Open AccessTransforming Growth Factor β/Activin signaling in neurons increases susceptibility to starvation
Author(s) -
Wen-bin Alfred Chng,
Rafael Koch,
Xiaoxue Li,
Shu Kondo,
Emi Nagoshi,
Bruno Lemaître
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0187054
Subject(s) - catabolism , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , glycogen , midgut , carbohydrate metabolism , starvation , glucose homeostasis , energy homeostasis , endocrinology , medicine , metabolism , biochemistry , receptor , ecology , diabetes mellitus , insulin resistance , larva
Animals rely on complex signaling network to mobilize its energy stores during starvation. We have previously shown that the sugar-responsive TGFβ/Activin pathway, activated through the TGFβ ligand Dawdle, plays a central role in shaping the post-prandial digestive competence in the Drosophila midgut. Nevertheless, little is known about the TGFβ/Activin signaling in sugar metabolism beyond the midgut. Here, we address the importance of Dawdle (Daw) after carbohydrate ingestion. We found that Daw expression is coupled to dietary glucose through the evolutionarily conserved Mio-Mlx transcriptional complex. In addition, Daw activates the TGFβ/Activin signaling in neuronal populations to regulate triglyceride and glycogen catabolism and energy homeostasis. Loss of those neurons depleted metabolic reserves and rendered flies susceptible to starvation.