Article
- The EMBO Journal (2002) 21, 6162 - 6173
- doi:10.1093/emboj/cdf600
Subject Category:
Nutrient control of gene expression in Drosophila: microarray analysis of starvation and sugar-dependent response
Ingo Zinke1,2, Christina S. Schütz1,2, Jörg D. Katzenberger1, Matthias Bauer1 and Michael J. Pankratz1
- Institut für Genetik, Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Postfach 3640, D-76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
- I.Zinke and C.Schütz contributed equally to this work
Correspondence to:
Michael J. Pankratz, E-mail: michael.pankratz@itg.fzk.de
Received 6 March 2002; Accepted 20 September 2002; Revised 12 August 2002
Abstract
We have identified genes regulated by starvation and sugar signals in Drosophila larvae using whole-genome microarrays. Based on expression profiles in the two nutrient conditions, they were organized into different categories that reflect distinct physiological pathways mediating sugar and fat metabolism, and cell growth. In the category of genes regulated in sugar-fed, but not in starved, animals, there is an upregulation of genes encoding key enzymes of the fat biosynthesis pathway and a downregulation of genes encoding lipases. The highest and earliest activated gene upon sugar ingestion is sugarbabe, a zinc finger protein that is induced in the gut and the fat body. Identification of potential targets using microarrays suggests that sugarbabe functions to repress genes involved in dietary fat breakdown and absorption. The current analysis provides a basis for studying the genetic mechanisms underlying nutrient signalling.
Keywords:
- fat,
- feeding,
- microarrays,
- starvation,
- sugar
