Genes regulated by nuclear Lipin in the fed and fasting state

Lipins are eukaryotic proteins with functions in lipid synthesis and the homeostatic control of energy balance. They execute these functions by acting as phosphatidate phosphatase enzymes in the cytoplasm and by changing gene expression after translocation into the cell nucleus, in particular under fasting conditions. Here, we asked how gene expression changes, under both fed and fasting conditions, when nuclear translocation of Lipin is impaired. To address this question, we created a Drosophila mutant expressing Lipin lacking a nuclear localization signal (LipinDNLS). Notably, adult LipinDNLS flies were not only viable but also exhibited improved life expectancy. In contrast, they were highly susceptible to starvation. To examine how these phenotypes correlate with changes in gene expression, we carried out an RNA-seq analysis with mRNA from female and male LipinDNLS and control flies that had been kept under fed or fasting conditions. We found that genes involved in metabolism, feeding behavior, and the immune response were mis-regulated in LipinDNLS flies. The changed expression of these genes supports hypotheses explaining improved life expectancy under fed and decreased life expectancy under fasting conditions. For instance, metabolic rate measurements confirmed the prediction based on the RNA-seq data that energy production by oxidative phosphorylation is reduced in fed LipinDNLS flies. Wild-type and mutant fruit flies were normally fed or subjected to starvation. mRNA-seq libraries of males and females of the 4 treatment groups were sequenced in two separate runs (191105_A00639_0138_BHG2HNDRXX-NovaRS-06-FC1-ML-RS24 and 191108_A00639_0140_BHFYTTDRXX-NovaRS-06-FC2-ML-RS24).