Production of systemically circulating Hedgehog by the intestine couples nutrition to growth and development

  1. Suzanne Eaton
  1. Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
  1. Corresponding author: eaton{at}mpi-cbg.de
  1. 3 These authors contributed equally to this work.

  • Present addresses: 1Lipotype GmbH, Tanzberg 47, 01307 Dresden, Germany;

  • 2 Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal

Abstract

In Drosophila larvae, growth and developmental timing are regulated by nutrition in a tightly coordinated fashion. The networks that couple these processes are far from understood. Here, we show that the intestine responds to nutrient availability by regulating production of a circulating lipoprotein-associated form of the signaling protein Hedgehog (Hh). Levels of circulating Hh tune the rates of growth and developmental timing in a coordinated fashion. Circulating Hh signals to the fat body to control larval growth. It regulates developmental timing by controlling ecdysteroid production in the prothoracic gland. Circulating Hh is especially important during starvation, when it is also required for mobilization of fat body triacylglycerol (TAG) stores. Thus, we demonstrate that Hh, previously known only for its local morphogenetic functions, also acts as a lipoprotein-associated endocrine hormone, coordinating the response of multiple tissues to nutrient availability.

Keywords

Footnotes

  • Received July 29, 2014.
  • Accepted October 29, 2014.

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