Organismal Energy Homeostasis Research Articles

Fat Body dSir2 Regulates Muscle Mitochondrial Physiology and Energy Homeostasis Nonautonomously and Mimics the Autonomous Functions of dSir2 in Muscles

Sir2 is an evolutionarily conserved NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase which has been shown to play a critical role in glucose and fat metabolism. In this study, we have perturbed Drosophila Sir2 (dSir2) expression, bidirectionally, in muscles and the fat body. We report that dSir2 plays a critical role in insulin signaling, glucose homeostasis, and mitochondrial functions. Importantly, we establish the nonautonomous functions of fat body dSir2 in regulating mitochondrial physiology and insulin signaling in muscles. We have identified a novel interplay between dSir2 and dFOXO at an organismal level, which involves Drosophila insulin-like peptide (dILP)-dependent insulin signaling. By genetic perturbations and metabolic rescue, we provide evidence to illustrate that fat body dSir2 mediates its effects on the muscles via free fatty acids (FFA) and dILPs (from the insulin-producing cells [IPCs]). In summary, we show that fat body dSir2 is a master regulator of organismal energy homeostasis and is required for maintaining the metabolic regulatory network across tissues.

AMPK and mTOR in cellular energy homeostasis and drug targets.

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central controller of cell growth and proliferation. mTOR forms two distinct complexes, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). mTORC1 is regulated by multiple signals such as growth factors, amino acids, and cellular energy and regulates numerous essential cellular processes including translation, transcription, and autophagy. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor and signal transducer that is regulated by a wide array of metabolic stresses. These two pathways serve as a signaling nexus for regulating cellular metabolism, energy homeostasis, and cell growth, and dysregulation of each pathway may contribute to the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. This review focuses on our current understanding of the relationship between AMPK and mTORC1 signaling and discusses their roles in cellular and organismal energy homeostasis.

PPIP5K1: A Kinase With A Cryptic Polyphosphoinositide‐Binding Domain (PBD1)

The inositol pyrophosphates (InsP7, InsP8) are multifunctional signaling molecules that regulate cell and organismal energy homeostasis. Two mammalian kinases that synthesize InsP8, PPIP5K1 and PPIP5K2, were recently cloned. The kinase domain was mapped to the N‐terminal one‐third of these kinases, but unexpectedly, both enzymes were also found to contain a “phosphatase‐like” domain. In this study, we report that these “phosphatase‐like” domains are not catalytically active towards inositol phosphates. Instead, we now demonstrate using surface plasmon resonance, that these domains (we re‐designated them as polyphosphoinsoitide‐binding domains or PBDs) bind PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 with high affinity (PBD1 Kd = 96 nM; PBD2 Kd = 705 nM). PtdIns(3,4)P2 and PtdIns(4,5)P2 are 6‐fold weaker ligands and there is no significant binding of PtdIns(3,5)P2 or any of the monophosphorylated phosphoinositides. This ligand specificity is suggestive of the participation of a pleckstrin‐homology (PH) domain. Indeed, evidence from sequence alignments and site‐directed mutagenesis reveal that the PDBs consist of a partial PH domain fused to a catalytically‐inactive substrate‐binding motif from the acid‐phosphatase family. This novel domain mediates receptor‐dependent compartmentalization of PPIP5K1 at the plasma membrane where localized synthesis of InsP8 may modulate other signaling pathways.

Nitric oxide and thermogenesis - challenge in molecular cell physiology

Only recently we can link thermogenesis, mitochondria, nitric oxide, and redox regulation in biochemical terms. Currently, we are discussing these processes from the aspect of fundamental principles of molecular physiology. Thus, the present article highlights both cell physiology and the principles of the maintenance of energy homeostasis in organisms. Energy homeostasis means much more than simple combustion; adipose tissues at this point of evolution development are related to a broad spectrum of metabolic disturbances and all aspects of cellular remodeling (i.e. structural, metabolic and endocrine changes). Therefore, this paper addresses not only thermogenesis but also energy homeostasis, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production, proliferation and differentiation of brown adipocytes, their life and death, mitochondriogenesis and angiogenesis. These processes will be united by molecular players of oxidation/reduction reactions, thus creating the principles based on the redox regulation.

Acute effects of leptin require PI3K signaling in hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin neurons in mice

Normal food intake and body weight homeostasis require the direct action of leptin on hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. It has been proposed that leptin action requires PI3K activity. We therefore assessed the contribution of PI3K signaling to leptin's effects on POMC neurons and organismal energy balance. Leptin caused a rapid depolarization of POMC neurons and an increase in action potential frequency in patch-clamp recordings of hypothalamic slices. Pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K prevented this depolarization and increased POMC firing rate, indicating a PI3K-dependent mechanism of leptin action. Mice with genetically disrupted PI3K signaling in POMC cells failed to undergo POMC depolarization or increased firing frequency in response to leptin. Insulin's ability to hyperpolarize POMC neurons was also abolished in these mice. Moreover, targeted disruption of PI3K blunted the suppression of feeding elicited by central leptin administration. Despite these differences, mice with impaired PI3K signaling in POMC neurons exhibited normal long-term body weight regulation. Collectively, these results suggest that PI3K signaling in POMC neurons is essential for leptin-induced activation and insulin-induced inhibition of POMC cells and for the acute suppression of food intake elicited by leptin, but is not a major contributor to the regulation of long-term organismal energy homeostasis.

Nutritional regulation of adipose tissue apolipoprotein E expression

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a multifunctional protein that is highly expressed in human and murine adipose tissue. Endogenous adipocyte apoE expression influences adipocyte triglyceride turnover and modulates the expression of genes involved in lipid synthesis and oxidation. We now demonstrate the regulation of adipose tissue apoE expression by nutritional status in lean and obese mice. Obesity induced by high-fat diet, or by hyperphagia in ob/ob mice, produces significant reduction of adipose tissue apoE expression at the protein and messenger RNA level. Fasting in C57BL/6J mice for 24 h significantly increased apoE protein and messenger RNA levels. In ob/ob mice, transplantation of adipose tissue from lean littermate controls to restore circulating leptin levels produced significant weight loss over 12 wk and also produced an increase in adipose tissue apoE expression. The increase in adipose tissue apoE expression in this model, however, did not require leptin. Adipose tissue apoE was also significantly increased in ob/ob mice after a 48-h fast or after 7 days of caloric restriction. In summary, obesity suppresses adipose tissue apoE expression, whereas fasting or weight loss increases it. From our previous observations, these changes in adipose tissue apoE expression will have significant impact on adipose tissue lipid flux and lipoprotein metabolism. Furthermore, these results suggest adipose tissue apoE participates in defending adipose tissue and organismal energy homeostasis in response to nutritional perturbation.