Controlling carbohydrates and fats: learning from fruit flies

Life processes are coordinated by different neuroendocrine feedback systems, which maintain basic similarities in the animal kingdom

Previously, the research team discovered the reproductive function of NPF in Drosophila melanogaster, and they wanted to know its role in other biological processes, especially in energy homeostasis

Researchers were able to prove that NPF is secreted by intestinal endocrine cells in response to dietary sugar

The lead author of the study, Professor Ryusuke Niwa, explained: “Our research shows that the loss of NPF or NPF/NPFR signals in the midgut of Drosophila can cause metabolic disorders, similar to the loss of incretin in mammals, such as lipodystrophy (healthy Fat loss), hypoglycemia, and food addiction (overeating)

This study highlights the potential similarities between insects and mammals in sugar-dependent metabolic processes

Journal Reference :

1. Yuto Yoshinari, Hina Kosakamoto, Takumi Kamiyama, Ryo Hoshino, Rena Matsuoka, Shu Kondo, Hiromu Tanimoto, Akira Nakamura, Fumiaki Obata, Ryusuke Niwa.