The Epicurean Fly: Using Drosophila Melanogaster to Study Metabolism

Abstract

ABSTRACT:In this review, the utility of Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for research in metabolism will be demonstrated. Importantly, many metabolic pathways are conserved in both man and the fly. Recent work has highlighted that these conserved molecular pathways have the potential to give rise to similar phenotypes. For example, it has proven possible to generate obese and diabetic Drosophila; conversely, genetic manipulation can also generate lean and hypoglycemic phenotypes. From conserved circulating hormones to key enzymes, the fly is host to a variety of homologous, metabolically active signaling mechanisms. The world of Drosophila research has not only a rich history of developing techniques for exquisite genetic manipulation, but also continues to develop genetic methodologies at an exciting rate. Many of these techniques add to the cadre of experimental tools available for the use of the fly as a model organism for studying carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis. This review is written for the pediatric-scientist with little background in Drosophila, with the goal of relaying the potential of this model organism for contributing to a better understanding of diseases affecting today's children.

Measurement of Metabolic Rate in <em>Drosophila</em> using Respirometry

“…A number of recent studies have shown that flies can easily be used to study energy homeostasis as well (reviewed in 12,13 ). The method presented here can easily be used in genetic screens to identify new molecular components possibly involved in controlling the metabolic state prior to purchasing more accurate and expensive equipment.…”

Lipid droplet-based storage fat metabolism in Drosophila

“…[1][2][3][4]. In this context, the lipid droplets (LD) of the fl y have recently attracted signifi cant research interest, which is echoed by current reviews on this topic (5)(6)(7).…”

UDP-galactose 4′ epimerase (GALE) is essential for development ofDrosophila melanogaster

“…The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a powerful genetic model in laboratory studies for more than a century and recently has emerged as a facile animal model for studies of human genetic disease (Bier, 2005), including metabolic disease (Bharucha, 2009;Zhang et al, 2009). Of particular relevance to galactosemia, the complexity of N-and O-linked glycans in Drosophila and the organismal effects of loss of specific enzymes in the glycosylation pathway have recently been reported (for a review, see Ten Hagen et al, 2009).…”