Insulin-like signaling within and beyond metazoans

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Molecular biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Insulin signaling regulates crucial physiological processes including lifespan and environmental adaptation in animals.
• Dysregulation of insulin signaling is linked to various pathological conditions, highlighting its biomedical importance.
• The evolutionary origins and complete pathophysiological effects of insulin signaling remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize existing experimental evidence on the distribution of insulin signaling components across eukaryotes.
• To propose an evolutionary framework that reconciles divergent findings regarding insulin's origin.
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of insulin signaling's evolutionary history.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of experimental evidence from diverse eukaryotic organisms.
• Comparative analysis of insulin signaling pathways across different taxa.
• Phylogenetic analysis to infer evolutionary relationships.

Main Results:

• Experimental data indicate the presence of insulin signaling components in non-metazoan eukaryotes.
• This widespread distribution challenges the prevailing view of insulin signaling originating solely within metazoans.
• A novel evolutionary account is presented to integrate these findings.

Conclusions:

• Insulin signaling likely predates the emergence of metazoans, with a broader evolutionary history across eukaryotes.
• Revisiting the evolutionary origins of insulin signaling is crucial for a complete understanding of its function and dysregulation.
• This work provides a foundation for future research into the evolution and function of insulin signaling in diverse organisms.