The plant-derived triterpenoid, cucurbitacin B, but not cucurbitacin E, inhibits the developmental transition associated with ecdysone biosynthesis in Drosophila melanogaster

In insects, some sterols are essential not only for cell membrane homeostasis, but for biosynthesis of the steroid hormone ecdysone. Dietary sterols are required for insect development because insects cannot synthesize sterols de novo. Therefore, sterol-like compounds that can compete with essential sterols are good candidates for insect growth regulators. In this study, we investigated the effects of the plant-derived triterpenoids, cucurbitacin B and E (CucB and CucE) on the development of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. To reduce the effects of supply with an excess of sterols contained in food, we reared D. melanogaster larvae on low sterol food (LSF) with or without cucurbitacins. Most larvae raised on LSF without supplementation or with CucE died at the second or third larval instar (L2 or L3) stages, whereas CucB-administered larvae mostly died without molting. The developmental arrest caused by CucB was partially rescued by ecdysone supplementation. Furthermore, we examined the effects of CucB on larval-prepupal transition by transferring larvae from LSF supplemented with cholesterol to that with CucB just after the L2/L3 molt. L3 larvae raised on LSF with CucB failed to pupariate, with a remarkable developmental delay. Ecdysone supplementation rescued the developmental delay but did not rescue the pupariation defect. Furthermore, we cultured the steroidogenic organ, the prothoracic gland (PG) of the silkworm Bombyx mori, with or without cucurbitacin. Ecdysone production in the PG was reduced by incubation with CucB, but not with CucE. These results suggest that CucB acts not only as an antagonist of the ecdysone receptor as previously reported, but also acts as an inhibitor of ecdysone biosynthesis.

Histamine gustatory aversion in Drosophila melanogaster

Many foods and drinks contain histamine; however, the mechanisms that drive histamine taste perception have not yet been investigated. Here, we use a simple model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to dissect the molecular sensors required to taste histamine. We first investigated histidine and histamine taste perception by performing a binary food choice assay and electrophysiology to identify essential sensilla for histamine sensing in the labellum. Histamine was found to activate S-type sensilla, which harbor bitter-sensing gustatory receptor neurons. Moreover, unbiased genetic screening for chemoreceptors revealed that a gustatory receptor, GR22e and an ionotropic receptor, IR76b are required for histamine sensing. Ectopic expression of GR22e was sufficient to induce a response in I-type sensilla, which normally do not respond to histamine. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which insects discriminate between the toxic histamine and beneficial histidine via their taste receptors.

GABAergic regulation of locomotion before and during an ethanol exposure in Drosophila melanogaster

Ethanol at low doses induces a locomotor stimulant response across a range of phylogenetically diverse species. In rodents, this response is commonly used as an index of ethanol's disinhibitory, anxiolytic, or reinforcing effects, and its expression is regulated by signaling through a number of conserved neurotransmitter systems. In the current experiments, we asked whether ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster might be mediated by ionotropic GABA receptors. We measured basal and ethanol-stimulated locomotion in flies expressing RNAi directed against three known subunits of ionotropic GABA receptors, and also examined the effects of picrotoxin feeding on these behaviors. We found that RNAi-mediated knockdown of a subunit of fly ionotropic GABA receptors, RDL, in all neurons resulted in an increased ethanol-induced locomotor stimulant response, while knockdown of two other subunits, LCCH3 and GRD, did not affect the responses. The effect of pan neuronal RDL knockdown was recapitulated with selective RDL knockdown in cholinergic neurons, and increased ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation was also seen by feeding the GABA_A antagonist picrotoxin to flies prior to behavioral testing. However, the increase in ethanol-stimulated locomotion in each of these experiments was largely accounted for by decreased baseline activity. Our results indicate that ionotropic GABA receptors might be a conserved mediator of the locomotor stimulant effects of ethanol, but that alternative experimental approaches will be necessary to disentangle effects of GABAergic manipulations on baseline and ethanol-stimulated locomotion in flies.

Melatonin improves cognitive behavior, oxidative stress, and metabolism in tumor-prone lethal giant larvae mutant of Drosophila melanogaster

Mutant lethal giant larvae (lgl) flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are known to develop epithelial tumors with invasive characteristics. The present study has been conducted to investigate the influence of melatonin (0.025 mM) on behavioral responses of lgl mutant flies as well as on biochemical indices (redox homeostasis, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, transaminases, and minerals) in hemolymph, and head and intestinal tissues. Behavioral abnormalities were quantitatively observed in lgl flies but were found normalized among melatonin-treated lgl flies. Significantly decreased levels of lipid peroxidation products and antioxidants involved in redox homeostasis were observed in hemolymph and tissues of lgl flies, but had restored close to normalcy in melatonin-treated flies. Carbohydrates including glucose, trehalose, and glycogen were decreased and increased in the hemolymph and tissues of lgl and melatonin-treated lgl flies, respectively. Key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism showed a significant increment in their levels in lgl mutants but had restored close to wild-type baseline levels in melatonin-treated flies. Variables of lipid metabolism showed significantly inverse levels in hemolymph and tissues of lgl flies, while normalization of most of these variables was observed in melatonin-treated mutants. Lipase, chitinase, transaminases, and alkaline phosphatase showed an increment in their activities and minerals exhibited decrement in lgl flies; reversal of changes was observed under melatonin treatment. The impairment of cognition, disturbance of redox homeostasis and metabolic reprogramming in lgl flies, and restoration of normalcy in all these cellular and behavioral processes indicate that melatonin could act as oncostatic and cytoprotective agents in Drosophila.

Vitamin K2 protects against Aβ42-induced neurotoxicity by activating autophagy and improving mitochondrial function in Drosophila

OBJECTIVE

Alzheimer disease is characterized by progressive decline in cognitive function due to neurodegeneration induced by accumulation of Aβ and hyperphosphorylated tau protein. This study was conducted to explore the protective effect of vitamin K2 against Aβ42-induced neurotoxicity.

METHODS

Alzheimer disease transgenic Drosophila model used in this study was amyloid beta with the arctic mutation expressed in neurons. Alzheimer disease flies were treated with vitamin K2 for 28 days after eclosion. Aβ42 level in brain was detected by ELISA. Autophagy-related genes and NDUFS3, the core subunit of mitochondrial complex I, were examined using real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Vitamin K2 improved climbing ability (P = 0.0105), prolonged lifespan (P < 0.0001) and decreased Aβ42 levels (P = 0.0267), upregulated the expression of LC3 and Beclin1(P = 0.0012 and P = 0.0175, respectively), increased the conversion of LC3I to LC3II (P = 0.0206) and decreased p62 level (P =0.0115) in Alzheimer disease flies. In addition, vitamin K2 upregulated the expression of NDUFS3 (P = 0.001) and increased ATP production (P = 0.0033) in Alzheimer disease flies.

CONCLUSION

It seems that vitamin K2 protect against Aβ42-induced neurotoxicity by activation of autophagy and rescue mitochondrial dysfunction, which suggests that it may be a potential valuable therapeutic approach for Alzheimer disease.

Baicalin Represses Type Three Secretion System of Pseudomonas aeruginosa through PQS System

Therapeutics that target the virulence of pathogens rather than their viability offer a promising alternative for treating infectious diseases and circumventing antibiotic resistance. In this study, we searched for anti-virulence compounds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Chinese herbs and investigated baicalin from Scutellariae radix as such an active anti-virulence compound. The effect of baicalin on a range of important virulence factors in P. aeruginosa was assessed using luxCDABE-based reporters and by phenotypical assays. The molecular mechanism of the virulence inhibition by baicalin was investigated using genetic approaches. The impact of baicalin on P. aeruginosa pathogenicity was evaluated by both in vitro assays and in vivo animal models. The results show that baicalin diminished a plenty of important virulence factors in P. aeruginosa, including the Type III secretion system (T3SS). Baicalin treatment reduced the cellular toxicity of P. aeruginosa on the mammalian cells and attenuated in vivo pathogenicity in a Drosophila melanogaster infection model. In a rat pulmonary infection model, baicalin significantly reduced the severity of lung pathology and accelerated lung bacterial clearance. The PqsR of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) system was found to be required for baicalin's impact on T3SS. These findings indicate that baicalin is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating P. aeruginosa infections.

Alkaline Ceramidase Mediates the Oxidative Stress Response in Drosophila melanogaster Through Sphingosine

Alkaline ceramidase (Dacer) in Drosophila melanogaster was demonstrated to be resistant to paraquat-induced oxidative stress. However, the underlying mechanism for this resistance remained unclear. Here, we showed that sphingosine feeding triggered the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Dacer-deficient D. melanogaster (Dacer mutant) has higher catalase (CAT) activity and CAT transcription level, leading to higher resistance to oxidative stress induced by paraquat. By performing a quantitative proteomic analysis, we identified 79 differentially expressed proteins in comparing Dacer mutant to wild type. Three oxidoreductases, including two cytochrome P450 (CG3050, CG9438) and an oxoglutarate/iron-dependent dioxygenase (CG17807), were most significantly upregulated in Dacer mutant. We presumed that altered antioxidative activity in Dacer mutant might be responsible for increased oxidative stress resistance. Our work provides a novel insight into the oxidative antistress response in D. melanogaster.

Long-term dietary exposure to low concentration of dichloroacetic acid promoted longevity and attenuated cellular and functional declines in aged Drosophila melanogaster

Dichloroacetic acid (DCA), a water disinfection by-product, has attained emphasis due to its prospect for clinical use against different diseases including cancer along with negative impact on organisms. However, these reports are based on the toxicological as well clinical data using comparatively higher concentrations of DCA without much of environmental relevance. Here, we evaluate cellular as well as organismal effects of DCA at environmentally and mild clinically relevant concentrations (0.02-20.0 μg/ml) using an established model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were fed on food mixed with test concentrations of DCA for 12-48 h to examine the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, oxidative stress (OS), heat shock genes (hsps) and cell death along with organismal responses. We also examined locomotor performance, ROS generation, glutathione (GSH) depletion, expression of GSH-synthesizing genes (gclc and gclm), and hsps at different days (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50) of the age in flies after prolonged DCA exposure. We observed mild OS and induction of antioxidant defense system in 20.0 μg/ml DCA-exposed organism after 24 h. After prolonged exposure to DCA, exposed organism exhibited improved survival, elevated expression of hsp27, gclc, and gclm concomitant with lower ROS generation and GSH depletion and improved locomotor performance. Conversely, hsp27 knockdown flies exhibited reversal of the above end points. The study provides evidence for the attenuation of cellular and functional decline in aged Drosophila after prolonged DCA exposure and the effect of hsp27 modulation which further incites studies towards the therapeutic application of DCA.

Rediocide A, an Insecticide, induces G-protein-coupled receptor desensitization via activation of conventional protein kinase C

In order to identify small-molecule antagonists of Methuselah (Mth), a Drosophila G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in life-span control, a library of natural compounds was screened, and it was found that rediocide A (1), a daphnane ester from the roots of Trigonostemon reidioides and used currently for flea control, potently inhibited calcium mobilization mediated by this receptor. Compound 1 inhibited calcium mobilization in GPCRs other than Mth, indicating that the inhibitory effect was not due to receptor antagonism but rather to a more general mechanism. It was found that 1 can induce GPCR desensitization and internalization, and such effects were mediated by the activation of conventional protein kinase C.

Activation of TRP channels by protons and phosphoinositide depletion in Drosophila photoreceptors

BACKGROUND

Phototransduction in microvillar photoreceptors is mediated via G protein-coupled phospholipase C (PLC), but how PLC activation leads to the opening of the light-sensitive TRPC channels (TRP and TRPL) remains unresolved. In Drosophila, InsP(3) appears not to be involved, and recent studies have implicated lipid products of PLC activity, e.g., diacylglycerol, its metabolites, or the reduction in PIP(2). The fact that hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond in PIP(2) by PLC also releases a proton is seldom recognized and has neither been measured in vivo nor implicated previously in a signaling context.

RESULTS

Following depletion of PIP(2) and other phosphoinositides by a variety of experimental manipulations, the light-sensitive channels in Drosophila photoreceptors become remarkably sensitive to rapid and reversible activation by the lipophilic protonophore 2-4 dinitrophenol in a pH-dependent manner. We further show that light induces a rapid (<10 ms) acidification originating in the microvilli, which is eliminated in mutants of PLC, and that heterologously expressed TRPL channels are activated by acidification of the cytosolic surface of inside-out patches.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that a combination of phosphoinositide depletion and acidification of the membrane/boundary layer is sufficient to activate the light-sensitive channels. Together with the demonstration of light-induced, PLC-dependent acidification, this suggests that excitation in Drosophila photoreceptors may be mediated by PLC's dual action of phosphoinositide depletion and proton release.

Characterization and distribution of NKD, a receptor for Drosophila tachykinin-related peptide 6

Neuropeptides related to vertebrate tachykinins have been identified in Drosophila and are referred to as drosotachykinins, or DTKs. Two Drosophila G protein-coupled receptors, designated NKD (neurokinin receptor from Drosophila; CG6515) and DTKR (Drosophila tachykinin receptor; CG7887), display sequence similarities to mammalian tachykinin receptors. Whereas DTKR was shown to be activated by DTKs [Birse RT, Johnson EC, Taghert PH, Nässel DR. Widely distributed Drosophila G-protein-coupled receptor (CG7887) is activated by endogenous tachykinin-related peptides. J Neurobiol 2006;66:33-46; Poels J, Verlinden H, Fichna J, Van Loy T, Franssens V, Studzian K, et al. Functional comparison of two evolutionary conserved insect neurokinin-like receptors. Peptides 2007;28:103-8] and was localized by immunocytochemistry in Drosophila central nervous system (CNS), agonist-dependent activation and distribution of NKD have not yet been investigated in depth. In the present study, we have challenged NKD-expressing mammalian and insect cells with a library of Drosophila neuropeptides and discovered DTK-6 as a specific agonist that can induce a calcium response in these cells. In addition, we have produced antisera to sequences from NKD protein to analyze receptor distribution. We found that NKD is less abundantly distributed in the central nervous system than DTKR, and only NKD was found in the intestine. In fact, the two receptors are distributed in mutually exclusive patterns in the CNS. The combined distribution of the receptors in brain neuropils corresponds well with the distribution of DTKs. Most interestingly, NKD appears to be activated only by DTK-6, known to possess an Ala-substitution in an otherwise conserved C-terminal core motif. Our findings suggest that NKD and DTKR provide substrates for two functionally and spatially separated peptide signaling systems.

Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)bisphosphate inhibits K+-efflux channel activity in NT1 tobacco cultured cells

In the animal world, the regulation of ion channels by phosphoinositides (PIs) has been investigated extensively, demonstrating a wide range of channels controlled by phosphatidylinositol (4,5)bisphosphate (PtdInsP2). To understand PI regulation of plant ion channels, we examined the in planta effect of PtdInsP2 on the K+-efflux channel of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), NtORK (outward-rectifying K channel). We applied a patch clamp in the whole-cell configuration (with fixed "cytosolic" Ca2+ concentration and pH) to protoplasts isolated from cultured tobacco cells with genetically manipulated plasma membrane levels of PtdInsP2 and cellular inositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate: "Low PIs" had depressed levels of these PIs, and "High PIs" had elevated levels relative to controls. In all of these cells, K channel activity, reflected in the net, steady-state outward K+ currents (IK), was inversely related to the plasma membrane PtdInsP2 level. Consistent with this, short-term manipulations decreasing PtdInsP2 levels in the High PIs, such as pretreatment with the phytohormone abscisic acid (25 microM) or neutralizing the bath solution from pH 5.6 to pH 7, increased IK (i.e. NtORK activity). Moreover, increasing PtdInsP2 levels in controls or in abscisic acid-treated high-PI cells, using the specific PI-phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 (2.5-4 microM), decreased NtORK activity. In all cases, IK decreases stemmed largely from decreased maximum attainable NtORK channel conductance and partly from shifted voltage dependence of channel gating to more positive potentials, making it more difficult to activate the channels. These results are consistent with NtORK inhibition by the negatively charged PtdInsP2 in the internal plasma membrane leaflet. Such effects are likely to underlie PI signaling in intact plant cells.

5-HT2 receptors in Drosophila are expressed in the brain and modulate aspects of circadian behaviors

Dysregulation of 5-HT(2) receptor function has been strongly implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. At present, the molecular mechanisms linking 5-HT(2) receptor activation to behaviors is not well understood. In efforts to elucidate these processes, the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is proposed to serve as a powerful genetically tractable model organism to study 5-HT(2) receptor function. Data are presented here on the expression of the fly ortholog of the mammalian 5-HT(2) receptor, 5-HT(2)Dro, in the larval and adult brain of the fly, and on the involvement of these circuits in certain circadian behaviors. In the adult brain, 5-HT(2)Dro is expressed in the protocerebrum and ellipsoid body, areas believed to participate in higher order behaviors including learning, locomotion, and sensory perception. In the third instar larva, 5-HT(2)Dro receptor expression is detected in a specific pattern that markedly changes from early to late third instar. To probe the function of this receptor we have examined the effects of the 5-HT(2) receptor-specific agonist DOI in wild type and 5-HT(2)Dro hypomorphic flies on circadian behaviors. DOI was found to increase early day activity, eliminate anticipatory behavior, and reduce viability. The effects of DOI were significantly diminished in a 5-HT(2)Dro hypomorphic strain. Identifying the 5-HT(2)Dro receptor circuitry and behaviors they mediate are significant steps towards developing this model system to study conserved molecular mechanisms underlying behaviors mediated by 5-HT(2) receptors in mammalian systems.

Open channel block by Ca2+ underlies the voltage dependence of drosophila TRPL channel

The light-activated channels of Drosophila photoreceptors transient receptor potential (TRP) and TRP-like (TRPL) show voltage-dependent conductance during illumination. Recent studies implied that mammalian members of the TRP family, which belong to the TRPV and TRPM subfamilies, are intrinsically voltage-gated channels. However, it is unclear whether the Drosophila TRPs, which belong to the TRPC subfamily, share the same voltage-dependent gating mechanism. Exploring the voltage dependence of Drosophila TRPL expressed in S2 cells, we found that the voltage dependence of this channel is not an intrinsic property since it became linear upon removal of divalent cations. We further found that Ca(2+) blocked TRPL in a voltage-dependent manner by an open channel block mechanism, which determines the frequency of channel openings and constitutes the sole parameter that underlies its voltage dependence. Whole cell recordings from a Drosophila mutant expressing only TRPL indicated that Ca(2+) block also accounts for the voltage dependence of the native TRPL channels. The open channel block by Ca(2+) that we characterized is a useful mechanism to improve the signal to noise ratio of the response to intense light when virtually all the large conductance TRPL channels are blocked and only the low conductance TRP channels with lower Ca(2+) affinity are active.

Mechanisms of two modulatory actions of the channel-binding protein Slob on the Drosophila Slowpoke calcium-dependent potassium channel

Slob57 is an ion channel auxiliary protein that binds to and modulates the Drosophila Slowpoke calcium-dependent potassium channel (dSlo). We reported recently that residues 1–39 of Slob57 comprise the key domain that both causes dSlo inactivation and shifts its voltage dependence of activation to more depolarized voltages. In the present study we show that removal of residues 2–6 from Slob57 abolishes the inactivation, but the ability of Slob57 to rightward shift the voltage dependence of activation of dSlo remains. A synthetic peptide corresponding in sequence to residues 1–6 of Slob57 blocks dSlo in a voltage- and dose-dependent manner. Two Phe residues and at least one Lys residue in this peptide are required for the blocking action. These data indicate that the amino terminus of Slob57 directly blocks dSlo, thereby leading to channel inactivation. Further truncation to residue Arg¹⁶ eliminates the modulation of voltage dependence of activation. Thus these two modulatory actions of Slob57 are independent. Mutation within the calcium bowl of dSlo greatly reduces its calcium sensitivity (Bian, S., I. Favre, and E. Moczydlowski. 2001. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 98:4776–4781). We found that Slob57 still causes inactivation of this mutant channel, but does not shift its voltage dependence of activation. This result confirms further the independence of the inactivation and the voltage shift produced by Slob57. It also suggests that the voltage shift requires high affinity Ca²⁺ binding to an intact calcium bowl. Furthermore, Slob57 inhibits the shift in the voltage dependence of activation of dSlo evoked by Ca²⁺, and this inhibition by Slob57 is greater at higher free Ca²⁺ concentrations. These results implicate distinct calcium-dependent and -independent mechanisms in the modulation of dSlo by Slob.

Targeting the hedgehog signaling pathway with small molecules

In addition to the potential stem cells offer for regenerative medicine, they also rapidly are becoming a center of focus in oncology. There are several developmental pathways that are involved in the deregulated signaling in stem cells resulting in tumorigenesis. For example, aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway has been associated with numerous malignancies including basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, prostate, pancreatic and breast cancers. In vivo evidence suggests the antagonism of excessive Hh signaling may provide a route to unique mechanism-based anti-cancer therapies. This review summarizes recent developments in targeting cell-surface proteins and intracellular targets from the Hh pathway with small molecules. Hh signaling is triggered by lipid-modified Hh proteins that exert their activity via a series of transmembrane receptors (Patched, Ptc and Smoothened, Smo). Smoothened (Smo) is a 7-TM protein reported to be the most druggable target in the Hh signaling cascade. We further review several published programs geared towards identification and profiling of synthetic antagonists of Smo. Challenges and perspectives of this approach are also discussed.

The DHR96 nuclear receptor regulates xenobiotic responses in Drosophila

Exposure to xenobiotics such as plant toxins, pollutants, or prescription drugs triggers a defense response, inducing genes that encode key detoxification enzymes. Although xenobiotic responses have been studied in vertebrates, little effort has been made to exploit a simple genetic system for characterizing the molecular basis of this coordinated transcriptional response. We show here that approximately 1000 transcripts are significantly affected by phenobarbital treatment in Drosophila. We also demonstrate that the Drosophila ortholog of the human SXR and CAR xenobiotic receptors, DHR96, plays a role in this response. A DHR96 null mutant displays increased sensitivity to the sedative effects of phenobarbital and the pesticide DDT as well as defects in the expression of many phenobarbital-regulated genes. Metabolic and stress-response genes are also controlled by DHR96, implicating its role in coordinating multiple response pathways. This work establishes a new model system for defining the genetic control of xenobiotic stress responses.

Response of Drosophila to wasabi is mediated by painless, the fly homolog of mammalian TRPA1/ANKTM1

A number of repellent compounds produced by plants elicit a spicy or pungent sensation in mammals . In several cases, this has been found to occur through activation of ion channels in the transient receptor potential (TRP) family . We report that isothiocyanate (ITC), the pungent ingredient of wasabi, is a repellent to the insect Drosophila melanogaster, and that the painless gene, previously known to be required for larval nociception, is required for this avoidance behavior. A painless reporter gene is expressed in gustatory receptor neurons of the labial palpus, tarsus, and wing anterior margin, but not in olfactory receptor neurons, suggesting a gustatory role. Indeed, painless expression overlaps with a variety of gustatory-receptor gene reporters. Some, such as Gr66a, are known to be expressed in neurons that mediate gustatory repulsion . painless mutants are not taste blind; they show normal aversive gustatory behavior with salt and quinine and attractive responses to sugars and capsaicin. The painless gene is an evolutionary homolog of the mammalian "wasabi receptor" TRPA1/ANKTM1 , also thought to be involved in nociception. Our results suggest that the stinging sensation of isothiocyanate is caused by activation of an evolutionarily conserved molecular pathway that is also used for nociception.

The insulin-PI3K/TOR pathway induces a HIF-dependent transcriptional response in Drosophila by promoting nuclear localization of HIF-alpha/Sima

The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a heterodimeric transcription factor composed of a constitutively expressed HIF-beta subunit and an oxygen-regulated HIF-alpha subunit. We have previously defined a hypoxia-inducible transcriptional response in Drosophila melanogaster that is homologous to the mammalian HIF-dependent response. In Drosophila, the bHLH-PAS proteins Similar (Sima) and Tango (Tgo) are the functional homologues of the mammalian HIF-alpha and HIF-beta subunits, respectively. HIF-alpha/Sima is regulated by oxygen at several different levels that include protein stability and subcellular localization. We show here for the first time that insulin can activate HIF-dependent transcription, both in Drosophila S2 cells and in living Drosophila embryos. Using a pharmacological approach as well as RNA interference, we determined that the effect of insulin on HIF-dependent transcriptional induction is mediated by PI3K-AKT and TOR pathways. We demonstrate that stimulation of the transcriptional response involves upregulation of Sima protein but not sima mRNA. Finally, we have analyzed in vivo the effect of the activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway on the subcellular localization of Sima protein. Overexpression of dAKT and dPDK1 in normoxic embryos provoked a major increase in Sima nuclear localization, mimicking the effect of a hypoxic treatment. A similar increase in Sima nuclear localization was observed in dPTEN homozygous mutant embryos, confirming that activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway promotes nuclear accumulation of Sima protein. We conclude that regulation of HIF-alpha/Sima by the PI3K-AKT-TOR pathway is a major conserved mode of regulation of the HIF-dependent transcriptional response in Drosophila.

Sensitivity of the Drosophilaparasodium channel to DDT is not lowered by thesuper-kdrmutation M918T on the IIS4-S5 linker that profoundly reduces sensitivity to permethrin and deltamethrin

DDT inhibits Na channel inactivation and deactivation, promotes Na channel activation and reduces the resting potential of Xenopus oocytes expressing the Drosophila para Na channel. These changes are only marginally influenced by the single mutation M918T (super-kdr) but are reduced approximately 10-fold by either the single mutation L1014F (kdr) or the double mutation L1014F+M918T, both of which confer resistance to the pyrethroids permethrin and deltamethrin. We conclude that DDT binds either to or in the region of L1014 on IIS6 but only weakly to M918 on the IIS4-S5 linker, which is part of a high-affinity binding site for permethrin and deltamethrin.

FRA16D common chromosomal fragile site oxido-reductase (FOR/WWOX) protects against the effects of ionizing radiation in Drosophila

Fragile sites are chromosomal structures that have been proposed to have a determining role in cancer-associated DNA instability. The human WWOX gene spans the FRA16D chromosomal fragile site, the common minimal region of homozygous deletion found in adenocarcinomas and three out of five translocation breakpoints in multiple myeloma. Transcripts from the alternatively spliced WWOX gene encode proteins with common N-terminal WW domains and variable homology to the oxidoreductase family of proteins. In this study, the Drosophila orthologue of the WWOX gene was identified and subjected to mutagenesis via homologous recombination. The resultant DmWWOX1 mutants were viable but exhibited an increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation. This radiation sensitivity was rescued by reintroduction and expression of either the wild-type Drosophila or human WWOX genes. Thus, the protective function of DmWWOX in response to irradiation in Drosophila is conserved with human WWOX (hWWOX). This is consistent with a protective role for hWWOX where aberrant expression, as a result of breakage at the associated fragile site, could contribute directly to cancer progression.

The depressant scorpion neurotoxin LqqIT2 selectively modulates the insect voltage-gated sodium channel

LqqIT2 is a depressant neurotoxin present in the venom of the Leiurus quinquestriatus quinquestriatus scorpion, one of the world's most dangerous scorpions endemic to dry habitats in Africa and Asia. In order to determine its efficacy, potency and selectivity, LqqIT2 was subjected for the first time to an electrophysiological and pharmacological comparison between two different cloned sodium channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Aside from typical beta-toxin effects, LqqIT2 also affected the inactivation process and ion selectivity of the insect voltage-gated sodium channel. The most interesting feature of LqqIT2 is its total insect-selectivity. At a concentration of 1 microM, the insect-voltage-gated sodium channel, para, was profoundly modulated while its mammalian counterpart, the rat brain Na(v)1.2 channel, was not affected. This trait offers excellent prospects for the development of novel insecticides.

Comparison of the properties of the five soluble guanylyl cyclase subunits in Drosophila melanogaster

The Drosophila melanogaster genome contains 5 genes that code for soluble guanylyl cyclase subunits. Two of these genes code for subunits, Gycalpha-99B and Gycbeta-100B, which form a conventional NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase and the other three code for atypical subunits, Gyc-88E, Gyc-89Da and Gyc-89Db. The properties and distribution of Gyc-88E and Gyc-89Db have previously been described and here Gyc-89Da is described. Gyc-89Da only forms an active guanylyl cyclase when co-expressed with Gyc-88E. The three atypical subunits probably form two different heterodimers in vivo: Gyc-88E/89Da and Gyc-88E/89Db. Both of these heterodimers were slightly stimulated by NO donors and Gyc-88E/89Da showed a greater activation by Mn2+, with an increase in Vmax and a decrease in K(m), compared to Gyc-88E/89Db. Both Gyc-88E/89Da and Gyc-88E/89Db were expressed in neurons in both the peripheral and central nervous system. Although all three heterodimeric soluble guanylyl cyclases in D. melanogaster can be activated by NO and inhibited by ODQ, the atypical enzymes can be distinguished from the conventional soluble guanylyl cyclase by their sensitivity to the NO-independent activators YC-1 and BAY 41-2272, which will only activate the conventional enzyme.

Alternative farnesoid structures induce different conformational outcomes upon the Drosophila ortholog of the retinoid X receptor, ultraspiracle

In view of recent studies that the ligand-binding pocket of the Drosophila melanogaster nuclear hormone receptor, ultraspiracle (dUSP), is a necessary component of dUSP-dependent transcriptional activation by methyl epoxyfarnesoate, we have assessed qualitative differences in the effect of farnesoid and dodecanoid compounds on receptor conformation and transcriptional activation. Farnesoids possessing terminal alcohol, aldehyde, acid, ester and/or epoxide moieties induced different changes in the local environment of the ligand-binding pocket, as monitored by the change each induced in the fluorescence of the two tryptophan residues existing in dUSP (that are situated 10 residues apart on the alpha-helix 5 that forms one lining of ligand-binding pocket). Similarly, each compound differed in the extent that it promoted an increase in anisotropy (dimerization state) of the receptor. Dodecanoid derivatives were much weaker in causing such effects. Methyl expoxyfarnesoate (insect juvenile hormone III) exhibited the greatest biological activity to increase transcription of a DR12JHECore reporter construct in transfected Sf9 cells, even though it did not exert the most suppression of USP fluorescence nor exert the greatest increase in USP anisotropy. In a comparison of farnesoid derivatives possessing the three side branches either as all methyl groups (JH III), or one of the side branches as ethyl (JH II), or two of the side branches as ethyl (JH I), the JH III and JH I were more similar to each other in the fluorescence suppression and in vivo morphogenetic activity than either was to JH II, evidencing that dUSP does not sense JH II as a structural 'intermediate' between JH III and JH I. Ligand-binding domains of vertebrate retinoid X receptors respond to agonists by repositioning alpha-helix 12 to the edge of a hydrophobic groove, and there with the groove jointly forms a coactivator binding surface. When alpha-helix 12 in dUSP was mutated to place two signaling tryptophan residues its C-terminus, fluorescence signaling indicated that upon dUSP binding of methyl epoxyfarnesoate, the alpha-helix 12 was repositioned differently than what occurred upon binding of non-JH farnesoids. These leads on alternative ligand-induced conformations that dUSP can adopt provide a foundation for commercial development of synthetic molecules that induce specific dUSP conformations, and for identification of in vivo conditions under which endogenous molecules may exert these conformational outcomes to this receptor.

Block by extracellular divalent cations of Drosophila big brain channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Drosophila Big Brain (BIB) is a transmembrane protein encoded by the neurogenic gene big brain (bib), which is important for early development of the fly nervous system. BIB expressed in Xenopus oocytes is a monovalent cation channel modulated by tyrosine kinase signaling. Results here demonstrate that the BIB conductance shows voltage- and dose-dependent block by extracellular divalent cations Ca(2+) and Ba(2+) but not by Mg(2+) in wild-type channels. Site-directed mutagenesis of negatively charged glutamate (Glu(274)) and aspartate (Asp(253)) residues had no effect on divalent cation block. However, mutation of a conserved glutamate at position 71 (Glu(71)) in the first transmembrane domain (M1) altered channel properties. Mutation of Glu(71) to Asp introduced a new sensitivity to block by extracellular Mg(2+); substitutions with asparagine or glutamine decreased whole-cell conductance; and substitution with lysine compromised plasma membrane expression. Block by divalent cations is important in other ion channels for voltage-dependent function, enhanced signal resolution, and feedback regulation. Our data show that the wild-type BIB conductance is attenuated by external Ca(2+), suggesting that endogenous divalent cation block might be relevant for enhancing signal resolution or voltage dependence for the native signaling process in neuronal cell fate determination.

Biochemical and structural studies of the interaction of Cdc37 with Hsp90

The heat shock protein Hsp90 plays a key, but poorly understood role in the folding, assembly and activation of a large number of signal transduction molecules, in particular kinases and steroid hormone receptors. In carrying out these functions Hsp90 hydrolyses ATP as it cycles between ADP- and ATP-bound forms, and this ATPase activity is regulated by the transient association with a variety of co-chaperones. Cdc37 is one such co-chaperone protein that also has a role in client protein recognition, in that it is required for Hsp90-dependent folding and activation of a particular group of protein kinases. These include the cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) 4/6 and Cdk9, Raf-1, Akt and many others. Here, the biochemical details of the interaction of human Hsp90 beta and Cdc37 have been characterised. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was then used to study the solution structure of Hsp90 and its complexes with Cdc37. The results suggest a model for the interaction of Cdc37 with Hsp90, whereby a Cdc37 dimer binds the two N-terminal domain/linker regions in an Hsp90 dimer, fixing them in a single conformation that is presumably suitable for client protein recognition.

Dynein and kinesin share an overlapping microtubule-binding site

Dyneins and kinesins move in opposite directions on microtubules. The question of how the same-track microtubules are able to support movement in two directions remains unanswered due to the absence of details on dynein-microtubule interactions. To address this issue, we studied dynein-microtubule interactions using the tip of the microtubule-binding stalk, the dynein stalk head (DSH), which directly interacts with microtubules upon receiving conformational change from the ATPase domain. Biochemical and cryo-electron microscopic studies revealed that DSH bound to tubulin dimers with a periodicity of 80 A, corresponding to the step size of dyneins. The DSH molecule was observed as a globular corn grain-like shape that bound the same region as kinesin. Biochemical crosslinking experiments and image analyses of the DSH-kinesin head-microtubule complex revealed competition between DSH and the kinesin head for microtubule binding. Our results demonstrate that dynein and kinesin share an overlapping microtubule-binding site, and imply that binding at this site has an essential role for these motor proteins.

Superimposition evaluation of ecdysteroid agonist chemotypes through multidimensional QSAR

The EC50 values for a training set of 66 ecdysteroids and 97 diacylhydrazines were measured in the ecdysteroid-responsive Drosophila melanogaster BII cell line, a prototypical homologous inducible gene expression system. Each of eight superimposition hypotheses for the folded diacylhydrazine conformation was evaluated and ranked on the basis of CoMFA and 4D-QSAR Q2 values for the training set and R2 values for a 52-member test set comprising randomly-chosen diacylhydrazines and chronologically-chosen ecdysteroids for which data became available after model construction. Both 4D-QSAR and CoMFA rate a common superimposition as the preferred one. Two additional superimpositions, with somewhat weaker 4D-QSAR and CoMFA consensus, nonetheless share several important topological features. The resultant QSAR models address the question of relative binding orientation of the two ligand families and can be useful as a virtual screen for new chemotypes.

The Drosophila kinesin-like protein KLP67A is essential for mitotic and male meiotic spindle assembly

We have performed a mutational analysis together with RNA interference to determine the role of the kinesin-like protein KLP67A in Drosophila cell division. During both mitosis and male meiosis, Klp67A mutations cause an increase in MT length and disrupt discrete aspects of spindle assembly, as well as cytokinesis. Mutant cells exhibit greatly enlarged metaphase spindle as a result of excessive MT polymerization. The analysis of both living and fixed cells also shows perturbations in centrosome separation, chromosome segregation, and central spindle assembly. These data demonstrate that the MT plus end-directed motor KLP67A is essential for spindle assembly during mitosis and male meiosis and suggest that the regulation of MT plus-end polymerization is a key determinant of spindle architecture throughout cell division.

Diverse actions of neonicotinoids on chicken alpha7, alpha4beta2 and Drosophila-chicken SADbeta2 and ALSbeta2 hybrid nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes

The 2-nitroimino-imidazolidine and related moieties are structural features of neonicotinoid insecticides acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nicotinic AChRs). To evaluate these moieties in neonicotinoid interactions with nicotinic AChR alpha subunits, the actions of imidacloprid and related compounds on the chicken alpha7, alpha4beta2 and Drosophila melanogaster-chicken hybrid (SADbeta2 and ALSbeta2) receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes were studied by voltage-clamp electrophysiology. Imidacloprid and nitenpyram were partial agonists and a nitromethylene analog of imidacloprid (CH-IMI) was a full agonist of the alpha7 receptor, whereas their agonist actions on the alpha4beta2 receptor were very weak, contrasting with full agonist actions of DN-IMI, a desnitro derivative of imidacloprid. The neonicotinoids and DN-IMI were either full or partial agonists of the SADbeta2 receptors. Nitenpyram and DN-IMI were partial agonists of the ALSbeta2 receptor, whereas imidacloprid and CH-IMI scarcely activated the ALSbeta2 receptor. Imidacloprid and CH-IMI in fact suppressed ACh-induced responses of the ALSbeta2 receptor, whereas imidacloprid potentiated and CH-IMI suppressed ACh-induced responses of the alpha4beta2 receptor. These results suggest that interactions with alpha subunits of the 2-nitroimino-imidazolidine moiety of imidacloprid play a role in determining not only agonist and antagonist actions on all four receptors, but also the potentiation of ACh-induced responses of the alpha4beta2 receptor.

Targeting aggregation in the development of therapeutics for the treatment of Huntington's disease and other polyglutamine repeat diseases

Huntington's disease (HD) is one of a number of familial polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat diseases. These neurodegenerative disorders are caused by expression of otherwise unrelated proteins that contain an expansion of a polyQ tract, rendering them toxic to specific subsets of vulnerable neurons. These expanded repeats have an inherent propensity to aggregate; insoluble neuronal nuclear and cytoplasmic polyQ aggregates or inclusions are hallmarks of the disorders [1,2]. In HD, inclusions in diseased brains often precede onset of symptoms, and have been proposed to be involved in pathogenicity [3-5]. Various strategies to block the process of aggregation have been developed in an effort to create drugs that decrease neurotoxicity. A discussion of the effect of antibodies, caspase inhibitors, chemical inhibitors, heat-shock proteins, suppressor peptides and transglutaminase inhibitors upon aggregation and disease is presented.

Synaptic Drosophila UNC-13 is regulated by antagonistic G-protein pathways via a proteasome-dependent degradation mechanism

UNC-13 is a highly conserved plasma membrane-associated synaptic protein implicated in the regulation of neurotransmitter release through the direct modulation of the SNARE exocytosis complex. Previously, we characterized the Drosophila homologue (DUNC-13) and showed it to be essential for neurotransmitter release immediately upstream of vesicular fusion ("priming") at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Here, we show that the abundance of DUNC-13 in NMJ synaptic boutons is regulated downstream of GalphaS and Galphaq pathways, which have inhibitory and facilitatory roles, respectively. Both cAMP modulation and PKA function are required for DUNC-13 synaptic up-regulation, suggesting that the cAMP pathway enhances synaptic efficacy via DUNC-13. Similarly, PLC function and DAG modulation also regulate the synaptic levels of DUNC-13, through a mechanism that appears independent of PKC. Our results suggest that proteasome-mediated protein degradation is the primary mechanism regulating DUNC-13 levels at the synapse. Both PLC- and PKA-mediated pathways appear to regulate synaptic levels of DUNC-13 through controlling the rate of proteasome-dependent DUNC-13 degradation. We conclude that the functional abundance of DUNC-13 at the synapse, a key determinant of synaptic vesicle priming and neurotransmitter release probability, is primarily regulated by the rate of protein degradation, rather than translocation or transport, convergently controlled via both cAMP and DAG signal transduction pathways.

Using Drosophila melanogaster to uncover human disease gene function and potential drug target proteins

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful genetic model organism, which has been instrumental in the determination of essential developmental and neurological pathways conserved from invertebrates to humans. With the completion of both the human and Drosophila genomes, the revelation that we are more similar to this simple organism than previously suspected was realised. 75% of human genetic disease genes have clear homologues in the fly. By utilising an array of genetic tools available to disrupt or misexpress these proteins, it is now feasible to perform large-scale genetic screens in Drosophila to identify other members of a particular human genetic pathway. This review outlines some of the reasons Drosophila is a useful tool for the discovery of therapeutic targets, covers some of the tools available to manipulate this organism and discusses specific examples of how to use Drosophila as a genetic test tube for revealing proteins which act in a common pathway.