The role of insulin signalling in the endocrine stress response in Drosophila melanogaster: A mini-review

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2018 Mar 1:258:134-139. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.05.019. Epub 2017 May 26.

Abstract

The endocrine stress response in Drosophila includes catecholamines, juvenile hormone (JH), 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signalling pathway (IIS). Several changes in the IIS and hormonal status that occur under unfavourable conditions are universal and do not depend on the nature of stress exposure. The reviewed studies on the impact of different element of the Drosophila IIS, such as insulin-like receptor, the homologue of its substrate, CHICO, the transcription factor dFOXO and insulin like peptide 6, on the hormonal status suggest that the IIS controls catecholamine metabolism indirectly via JH, and there is a feedback loop in the interaction of JH and IIS. Moreover, at least one of the ways in which the IIS is involved in the control of stress resistance is mediated through JH/dopamine signalling.

Keywords: Dopamine; Drosophila; Fecundity; Heat stress; Insulin-like peptides; Juvenile hormone.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin / pharmacology
  • Insulin / physiology
  • Juvenile Hormones / metabolism
  • Juvenile Hormones / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Insulin / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Somatomedins / metabolism
  • Stress, Physiological* / drug effects

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Insulin
  • Juvenile Hormones
  • Somatomedins
  • Receptor, Insulin