Although only distantly related to humans, many aspects of energy homeostasis are conserved in Drosophila melanogaster. Previous results suggested that synphilin-1 (SP1), a cytoplasmic protein enriched in neurons, can regulate metabolic homeostasis in mice. Liu et al. further investigated the function of this protein using Drosophila as a tool, and report that transgenic expression of human SP1 in neurons, but not in the periphery, results in increased fat accumulation. SP1 expression in dopaminergic neurons induced modest increases in the body weight of adult flies, and doubled the size of the fat body (the functional equivalent of adipose tissue) and lipid droplets in larvae. The results of additional assays attributed these changes to increased food intake, rather than decreased energy expenditure. This study validates Drosophila for studying neuronal control of metabolic homeostasis and suggests a newly identified function of SP1 in control of energy balance.
Getting vocal about vaping
Vlasta Lungova and colleagues show that exposure of vocal fold mucosae to e-cigarette vapour extract induces epithelial injury and triggers intense mucosal remodelling. Find out more about the story behind the paper in our interview with Vlasta.
Measuring pharmacodynamics in adult zebrafish
In this Resource Article, Madelyn Jackstadt, Casey Chamberlain et al. present a new workflow in the adult zebrafish that combines a range of techniques to evaluate drug activity.
Call for new preLighters
preLights is the preprint highlighting community supported by The Company of Biologists. At the heart of preLights are our preLighters: early-career researchers who select and write about interesting new preprints for the research community. We are currently looking for new preLighters to join our team. Find out more and apply here.
Apply for a DMM Conference Travel Grant
Aimed at early-career researchers wanting to attend in-person and virtual meetings, the next application deadline for a DMM Conference Travel Grant is 1 November 2022. Find out more and hear from past recipients about their experience of the grant.
Focus on Genetic Variance in Human Disease
New technologies, computational methods and model systems are revealing how human genetic variance contributes to disease mechanisms. DMM’s new Subject Focus highlights this evolving area of research.
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