The Steroid Hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone Induces Lipophagy Via the Brain-adipose Tissue Axis by Promoting the Adipokinetic Hormone Pathway

Overview

Journal J Biol Chem

Date 2025 Jan 11

PMID 39798879

Authors

Yan-Xue Li

Yan-Li Li

Xiao-Pei Wang

Tian-Wen Liu

Du-Juan Dong

Jin-Xing Wang

Xiao-Fan Zhao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Lipophagy is a way to degrade lipids; however, the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Using the holometabolous lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera, cotton bollworm, as a model, we revealed that the larval fat body undergoes lipophagy during metamorphosis, and lipophagy is essential for metamorphosis. The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) induced lipophagy by promoting the expression of the peptide hormone adipokinetic hormone (AKH, the insect analog of glucagon) and the adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR). Akh was highly expressed in the brain and Akhr was expressed in various tissues. The 20E upregulated the expression of Akh and Akhr by its nuclear receptor EcR during metamorphosis. AKH and AKHR increased glucose levels via gluconeogenesis and promoted lipophagy. The high glucose level induced acetylation of FOXO and nuclear localization to promote the expression of lipases and autophagy genes. Thus, the steroid hormone 20E induced lipophagy via the brain-adipose tissue axis by promoting the AKH pathway, which presented nutrients and energy to pupal and adult development during insect metamorphosis after feeding stops.

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