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  • The EMBO Journal advance online publication 15 October 2009; doi:10.1038/emboj.2009.305

schlank, a member of the ceramide synthase family controls growth and body fat in Drosophila

Reinhard Bauer1, André Voelzmann1, Bernadette Breiden2, Ute Schepers2, Hany Farwanah2, Ines Hahn1, Franka Eckardt1, Konrad Sandhoff2 and Michael Hoch1

  1. LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development, Genetics & Molecular Physiology, Laboratory for Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
  2. LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Membrane Biology & Lipid Biochemistry, c/o Kekulé Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

Correspondence to:

Reinhard Bauer, Program Unit Development, Genetics & Molecular Physiology, Laboratory for Molecular Developmental Biology, LIMES Institute, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 169, Bonn NRW 53115, Germany. Tel.: +49 228 73 6859; Fax: +49 228 73 4480; E-mail: r.bauer@uni-bonn.de

Michael Hoch, Program Unit Development, Genetics & Molecular Physiology, Laboratory for Molecular Developmental Biology, LIMES Institute, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 169, Bonn NRW 53115, Germany. Tel.: +49 228 73 4621; Fax: +49 228 73 4480; E-mail: m.hoch@uni-bonn.de

Received 25 July 2009; Accepted 23 September 2009

Ceramide synthases are highly conserved transmembrane proteins involved in the biosynthesis of sphingolipids, which are essential structural components of eukaryotic membranes and can act as second messengers regulating tissue homeostasis. However, the role of these enzymes in development is poorly understood due to the lack of animal models. We identified schlank as a new Drosophila member of the ceramide synthase family. We demonstrate that schlank is involved in the de novo synthesis of a broad range of ceramides, the key metabolites of sphingolipid biosynthesis. Unexpectedly, schlank mutants also show reduction of storage fat, which is deposited as triacylglyerols in the fat body. We found that schlank can positively regulate fatty acid synthesis by promoting the expression of sterol-responsive element-binding protein (SREBP) and SREBP-target genes. It further prevents lipolysis by downregulating the expression of triacylglycerol lipase. Our results identify schlank as a new regulator of the balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis in Drosophila. Furthermore, our studies of schlank and the mammalian Lass2 family member suggest a novel role for ceramide synthases in regulating body fat metabolism.

  • Keywords:

    • body fat metabolism,
    • ceramide synthases,
    • Lass 2,
    • schlank,
    • SREBP