Cellular metabolic reprogramming controls sugar appetite

Abstract

Cellular metabolic reprogramming is an important mechanism by which cells rewire their metabolism to promote proliferation and cell growth. This process has been mostly studied in the context of tumorigenesis and less is known about its relevance for non-pathological processes and how it affects whole animal physiology. Here, we show that Drosophila female germline cells reprogram their carbohydrate metabolism, upregulating the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) to produce eggs. Strikingly, this cellular reprogramming strongly impacts nutrient preferences. PPP activity in the germline specifically increases the animal’s appetite for sugar, the key nutrient fueling this metabolic pathway. We furthermore provide functional evidence that the germline alters sugar appetite by regulating the expression of the fat body secreted satiety factor fit. The cellular metabolic program of a small set of cells is therefore able to increase the animal’s preference for specific nutrients through inter-organ communication to promote specific metabolic and cellular outcomes.