Lipid metabolism and Drosophila sperm development

Sci China Life Sci. 2012 Jan;55(1):35-40. doi: 10.1007/s11427-012-4274-2. Epub 2012 Feb 8.

Abstract

Lipids are essential membrane structural components and important signal carriers. The major enzymatic metabolisms of various lipids (phospholipid, sphingolipid, cholesterol) are well studied. The developmental function of lipid metabolism has remained, for the most part, elusive. With the help of new techniques and model organisms, the important roles of lipid metabolism in development just start to emerge. Drosophila spermatogenesis is an ideal system for in vivo studies of cytokinesis and membrane remodeling during development. The metabolic regulators of many lipids, including phosphatidylinositol (PI) lipids, fatty acids and cholesterol, are reported to play critical roles in various steps during Drosophila spermatogenesis. In this mini-review, we summarized recent findings supporting a tight link between lipids metabolism and Drosophila sperm development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Cytokinesis
  • Drosophila / cytology*
  • Drosophila / metabolism*
  • Drosophila / physiology*
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Male
  • Phosphatidylinositols / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Spermatozoa / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Phosphatidylinositols
  • Cholesterol