Insulin signaling is necessary for vitellogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster independent of the roles of juvenile hormone and ecdysteroids: Female sterility of the chico1 insulin signaling mutation is autonomous to the ovary

David S. Richard, Robert Rybczynski, Thomas G. Wilson, Yue Wang, Marta L. Wayne, You Zhou, Linda Partridge, Lawrence G. Harshman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

138 Scopus citations

Abstract

It has been suggested that insulin signaling mutations of Drosophila melanogaster are sterile and long-lived because of juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroid deficiency. However, female sterility of an insulin/IGF-like signaling mutant (chico1) of D. melanogaster is not mediated by downstream systemic signaling in terms of major alterations in JH or ecdysteroid levels. chico1 is a null mutation in the insulin substrate protein (CHICO) gene of D. melanogaster. Homozygous chico1 females are sterile and their oocytes do not mature beyond the last previtellogenic stage. Homozygous chico1 females exhibit approximately wild-type rates of JH biosynthesis, ovarian release of ecdysteroids and haemolymph ecdysteroid levels, suggesting that these two major hormone systems play no role in producing the sterility. Previtellogenic wild-type ovaries transplanted into homozygous chico1 females underwent vitellogenesis, showing that systemic factors present in mutant females are sufficient to support normal vitellogenesis. chico1 ovaries transplanted into wild-type females did not undergo vitellogenesis indicating that CHICO is necessary in the ovary for vitellogenic maturation. The ovary transplant experiments corroborate the endocrine results and demonstrate that insulin/insulin-like signaling (IIS) is necessary for vitellogenesis even when sufficient levels of JH, ecdysteroids or other factors are present.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)455-464
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Insect Physiology
Volume51
Issue number4 SPEC. ISS.
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2005

Keywords

  • Chico
  • Drosophila
  • Insulin receptor substrate
  • Ovarian development
  • Receptor mediated endocytosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Insect Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Insulin signaling is necessary for vitellogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster independent of the roles of juvenile hormone and ecdysteroids: Female sterility of the chico1 insulin signaling mutation is autonomous to the ovary'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this