Identification of a novel role for Drosophila MESR4 in lipid metabolism. (30th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsuda‐Sakurai, Kayoko; Seong, Ki‐Hyeon; Horiuchi, Junjiro; Aigaki, Toshiro; Tsuda, Manabu
• Is Part Of: Genes to cells. Volume 20:Number 4(2015:Apr.)
• Page Start: 358
• Page End: 365
• Publication Date: 2015-01-30
• Subjects: Cytogenetics -- Periodicals; Cells -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Molecular genetics -- Periodicals; Genes -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Biomechanics -- Periodicals; 571.6
• DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12221
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-9597

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="gtc12221-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <italic>Drosophila</italic> provides a powerful genetic model to analyze lipid metabolism. <italic>Drosophila</italic> has an adipose‐like organ called the fat body, which plays a crucial role in energy homeostasis. Here, we conducted a fat body‐specific misexpression screen to identify genes involved in lipid metabolism. We found that over‐expression of a nuclear protein with nine C₂H₂ type zinc‐finger motifs and a PHD‐finger, Misexpression suppressor of ras 4 (MESR4), reduces lipid accumulation in the fat body, whereas <italic>MESR4</italic> knockdown increases it. We further show that <italic>MESR4</italic> up‐regulates the expression of major lipases, which may account for the reduction in lipid storage in the fat body and the release of free fatty acids (FFAs) in the body. These results suggest that MESR4 acts as an important upstream regulator of energy homeostasis.</p> </abstract>