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A Drosophila Model for Screening Antiobesity Agents
Tran Thanh Men1, Duong Ngoc Van Thanh1, Masamitsu Yamaguchi2
1Department of Biomolecular Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan.
Biomed Research International
|June 2, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a novel Drosophila model to study obesity. This model, utilizing the brummer (bmm) gene and green fluorescent protein (GFP), helps screen for potential anti-obesity therapeutics by monitoring lipid storage regulation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Physiology
Background:
- Triacylglycerol accumulation is crucial for energy storage but excessive amounts lead to obesity and organ dysfunction.
- The brummer (bmm) gene in Drosophila melanogaster is homologous to human adipocyte triglyceride lipase, playing a role in lipid metabolism regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a transgenic Drosophila model for monitoring brummer (bmm) gene expression.
- To establish a screening platform for anti-obesity agents using this Drosophila model.
Main Methods:
- Created a transgenic Drosophila model with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene under the control of the bmm promoter.
- Analyzed bmm promoter activity and GFP signal intensity in response to high-glucose diets.
- Assessed the effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors and vegetables on bmm promoter activity.
Main Results:
- The transgenic Drosophila model successfully monitored bmm expression across various tissues, notably in the salivary gland nucleus.
- High-glucose diets induced obesity phenotypes in Drosophila, characterized by increased lipid content, reduced bmm mRNA expression, and weaker GFP signals.
- Histone deacetylase inhibitors and certain vegetables modulated bmm promoter activity.
Conclusions:
- The established transgenic Drosophila model is effective for screening anti-obesity agents.
- Brummer gene expression is inversely correlated with obesity, making it a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
