Biology subjects

Davies, S. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Davies, S. A..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

A nutrient-responsive hormonal circuit controls energy and water homeostasis in Drosophila

The regulation of systemic energy balance involves the coordinated activity of specialized organs, which control nutrient uptake, utilization and storage to promote metabolic homeostasis during environmental challenges. The humoral signals that drive such homeostatic programs are largely unidentified. Here we show that three pairs of central neurons in adult Drosophila respond to internal water and nutrient availability by releasing Capa-1 and -2 hormones that signal through the Capa receptor (CapaR) to exert systemic metabolic control. Loss of Capa/CapaR signaling leads to intestinal hypomotility and impaired nutrient absorption, which gradually deplete internal nutrient stores and reduce organismal lifespan. Conversely, hyperactivation of the Capa circuitry stimulates fluid and waste excretion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Capa/CapaR regulates energy metabolism by modulating the release of the glucagon-like adipokinetic hormone, which governs lipolysis in adipose tissue to stabilize circulating energy levels. Altogether, our results uncover a novel inter-tissue program that plays a central role in coordinating post-prandial responses that are essential to maintain adult viability.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2019

When two cells are better than one: specialized stellate cells provide a privileged route for uniquely rapid water flux in Drosophila renal tubule

Insects are highly successful, in part through an excellent ability to osmoregulate. The renal (Malpighian) tubules can secrete fluid faster on a per-cell basis than any other epithelium, but the route for these remarkable water fluxes has not been established. In Drosophila melanogaster, we show that 4 members of the Major Intrinsic Protein family are expressed at very high level in the fly renal tissue; the aquaporins Drip and Prip, and the aquaglyceroporins Eglp2 and Eglp4. As predicted from their structure and by their transport function by expressing these proteins in Xenopus oocytes, Drip, Prip and Eglp2 show significant and specific water permeability, whereas Eglp2 and Eglp4 show very high permeability to glycerol and urea. Knockdowns of any of these genes impacts tubule performance resulting in impaired hormone-induced fluid secretion. The Drosophila tubule has two main secretory cell types: active cation-transporting principal cells with the aquaglyceroporins localize to opposite plasma membranes and small stellate cells, the site of the chloride shunt conductance, with these aquaporins localising to opposite plasma membranes. This suggests a model in which cations are pumped by the principal cells, causing chloride to follow through the stellate cells in order to balance the charge. As a consequence, osmotically obliged water follows through the stellate cells. Consistent with this model, fluorescently labelled dextran, an in vivo marker of membrane water permeability, is trapped in the basal infoldings of the stellate cells after kinin diuretic peptide stimulation, confirming that these cells provide the major route for transepithelial water flux. The spatial segregation of these components of epithelial water transport may help to explain the unique success of the higher insects.\n\nSignificance statementThe tiny insect renal (Malpighian) tubule can transport fluid at unparalleled speed, suggesting unique specialisations. Here we show that strategic allocation of Major Intrinsic Proteins (MIPs) to specific cells within the polarized tubule allow the separation of metabolically intense active cation transport from chloride and water conductance. This body plan is general to at least many higher insects, providing a clue to the unique success of the class Insecta.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2017

Characterization of a set of abdominal neuroendocrine cells that regulate stress physiology using colocalized diuretic peptides in Drosophila

Multiple neuropeptides are known to regulate water and ion balance in Drosophila melanogaster. Several of these peptides also have other functions in physiology and behavior. Examples are corticotropin-releasing factor-like diuretic hormone (diuretic hormone 44; DH44) and leucokinin (LK), both of which induce fluid secretion by Malpighian tubules (MTs), but also regulate stress responses, feeding, circadian activity and other behaviors. Here, we investigated the functional relations between the LK and DH44 signaling systems. DH44 and LK peptides are only colocalized in a set of abdominal neurosecretory cells (ABLKs). Targeted knockdown of each of these peptides in ABLKs leads to increased resistance to desiccation, starvation and ionic stress. Food ingestion is diminished by knockdown of DH44, but not LK, and water retention is increased by LK knockdown only. Thus, the two colocalized peptides display similar systemic actions, but differ with respect to regulation of feeding and body water retention. We also demonstrated that DH44 and LK have additive effects on fluid secretion by MTs. It is likely that the colocalized peptides are coreleased from ABLKs into the circulation and act on the tubules where they target different cell types and signaling systems to regulate diuresis and stress tolerance. Additional targets seem to be specific for each of the two peptides and subserve regulation of feeding and water retention. Our data suggest that the ABLKs and hormonal actions are sufficient for many of the known DH44 and LK functions, and that the remaining neurons in the CNS play other functional roles.

neuroscience↗