Raw data file for The integral role of de novo lipogenesis in the preparation for seasonal dormancy

Animals can alter their body compositions in anticipation of dormancy to endure seasons with limited food availability. Accumulation of lipid reserves, mostly in the form of triglycerides (TAGs), is observed during the preparation for dormancy in diverse animals, including insects (diapause) and mammals (hibernation). However, the molecular mechanisms associated with the accumulation of substantial fat stores in preparation for animal dormancy remain poorly studied. In the broadest sense, lipid reserves can be accumulated in two ways: the animal either receives lipids directly from the environment or converts the sugars and amino acids present in food to fatty acids through de novo lipogenesis and then to TAGs. Here, we show that preparation for diapause in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) involves orchestrated upregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism with an expression peak in 8th and 10th day-old diapause-destined insects. The regulation at the gene expression level was associated with the accumulation of substantial fat stores. Interfering with steps in lipid accumulation during the diapause preparatory phase resulted in the prolongation or shortening of the diapause preparatory phase duration, depending on the targeted step. The knockdown of de novo lipogenesis enzymes (ACCase and FAS-1) prolonged the preparatory phase, while the knockdown of fatty acid transportation genes shortened the preparatory phase. Our findings suggest a model in which the insects sense their fat reserve status and dynamically decide when to transition from the preparation phase into diapause, depending on the progress in lipid accumulation through de novo lipogenesis.