First functional insulin-binding protein in invertebratesApril 15, 2008Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling that helps to regulate mammals' growth, metabolism, reproduction and longevity is well documented. Now research published in the open access journal Journal of Biology describes the genetic identification of the first functional insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) ortholog in invertebrates. Insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) signal through a highly conserved pathway and control growth and metabolism in both vertebrates and invertebrates. The well-studied mammalian IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) do not, however, have obvious sequence homologs in the fruit fly Drosophila. The discovery of a functional ortholog transforms Drosophila into a powerful model system in which to explore metabolic regulation and presents a significant advance in our understanding of the mechanisms by which the actions of insulin-like peptides are regulated. A research team led by Ernst Hafen from the Institute of Molecular Systems Biology at the ETH in Zürich, Switzerland, employed a genetic strategy to search for negative insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) regulators in Drosophila. The team identified a new functional insulin-binding protein that acts as an IIS antagonist. Dubbed imaginal morphogenesis protein-late 2 (Imp-L2), the new antagonist binds the Drosophila insulin-like peptide 2 (Dilp2), inhibiting its growth-promoting function. Imp-L2 not only has a role in growth regulation - it is also essential for the dampening of insulin signaling under adverse conditions. The authors hope that better understanding of Imp-L2's role in growth control and insulin signaling in Drosophila will ultimately impact on our understanding of the human ortholog IGFBP-7. This has a regulatory role in pathways that impact upon diabetes and cancer. IGFBP-7 acts as a tumor suppressor in a variety of human organs and differs in the C-terminus from the other IGFBPs. "Since Imp-L2 and the human tumor suppressor IGFBP-7 display sequence homology in their C-terminal immunoglobulin-like domains, we suggest that their common precursor represents an ancestral insulin-binding protein," says Hafen BioMed Central |
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| Related Drosophila Current Events and Drosophila News Articles Schizophrenia gene's role may be broader, more potent, than thought UCSF scientists studying nerve cells in fruit flies have uncovered a new function for a gene whose human equivalent may play a critical role in schizophrenia. Deciphering the regulatory code Embryonic development is like a well-organised building project, with the embryo's DNA serving as the blueprint from which all construction details are derived. UM Scientists Create Fruit Fly Model to Help Unravel Genetics of Human Diabetes As rates of obesity, diabetes, and related disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the US in recent years, scientists are working from many angles to pinpoint the causes and contributing factors involved in this public health crisis. Circadian surprise: A heat sensor for body-clock synchronization New research on the fruit-fly brain points to a possible mechanism by which temperature influences the body clock, according to scientists from Queen Mary, University of London. Researchers discover mechanism that prevents two species from reproducing Cornell researchers have discovered a genetic mechanism in fruit flies that prevents two closely related species from reproducing, a finding that offers clues to how species evolve. A solution to Darwin's 'mystery of the mysteries' emerges from the dark matter of the genome Biological species are often defined on the basis of reproductive isolation. Ever since Darwin pointed out his difficulty in explaining why crosses between two species often yield sterile or inviable progeny (for instance, mules emerging from a cross between a horse and a donkey), biologists have struggled with this question. Fruit fly pest identified in wine grapes A newly recognized pest in Oregon continues to concern fruit growers and researchers with the recent discovery of a Spotted Wing Drosophila fly in a sample of Willamette Valley wine grapes. A balancing act in Parkinson's disease: Phosphorylation of alpha-synuclein Both genetic and pathologic data indicate a role for the neuronal protein alpha-synuclein in Parkinson disease. Reactive oxygen in fruit flies acts as a cell signalling mechanism for immune response For years, health conscious people have been taking antioxidants to reduce the levels of reactive oxygen in their blood and prevent the DNA damage done by free radicals, which are the result of oxidative stress. But could excessive use of antioxidants deplete our immune systems? Pesky fruit flies learn from experienced females: Study A common household nuisance, the fruit fly, is capable of intricate social learning much like that used by humans, according to new research from McMaster University. More Drosophila Current Events and Drosophila News Articles |
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