2005/02/11 by Susan Broughton, Matthew D. W. Piper, Tomoatsu Ikeya +8 · 4 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Neuroscience · #Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms #Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research #Circadian rhythm and melatonin
paper · doi:10.1073/pnas.0405775102
openalex publication_date 2005/02/11 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
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.