Fine-tuning protein hunger: sex- and mating-dependent setpoint control  

作　　者：Yangkyun Oh Won-Jae Lee 

机构地区：[1]Department of Life Science,College of Natural Sciences,Ewha Womans University,Seoul,South Korea [2]School of Biological Sciences,Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics,Seoul National University,Seoul,South Korea [3]Wide River Institute of Immunology,Seoul National University,Hongcheon,South Korea.

出　　处：《Cell Research》2025年第3期161-162,共2页细胞研究(英文版)

摘　　要：While a balanced intake of macronutrients—carbohydrates,fats,and proteins—is essential for metabolic homeostasis,animals need higher protein intake during critical life stages like pregnancy.A recent paper in Cell by Wu et al.introduces the novel concept of adjusting protein intake setpoints based on sex and mating status,using two opposing G proteincoupled receptor(GPCR)signaling pathways that regulate protein appetite-controlling neurons in the fruit fly,Drosophila melanogaster.Animals have evolved nutrient-specific hunger mechanisms to address internal macronutrient imbalances,thereby enhancing their survival.Among macronutrients,protein is essential for growth and development,particularly during maturation and reproduction.For instance,pregnant animals show a strong preference for protein-rich foods due to the need for extra amino acids for offspring development.In fruit flies,mated females have a higher protein intake setpoint and consume more protein to feel satiated compared to virgin females or males,as these amino acids are crucial for egg production.1 However,the precise mechanisms by which animals adjust their protein intake setpoints based on physiological needs,such as pregnancy,remain unclear.

关 键 词：mating dependent setpoint g protein coupled receptor pregnancy metabolic homeostasis fruit fly protein hunger macronutrient intake adjusting protein 

分 类 号：Q51[生物学—生物化学]