广州医科大学基础医学院焦仁杰小组的一项最新研究揭示了Xgr通过促进马氏小管的葡萄糖摄取参与果蝇的体型控制。这一研究成果发表在2025年5月27日出版的国际学术期刊《遗传学报》上。

研究组发现编码ATP酶的基因Xgr的突变导致果蝇体型变小。Xgr主要表达于马氏小管和中肠的上皮细胞中。由于ATP水平升高，Xgr的缺失导致AMPK信号的失活。葡萄糖在马尔比氏小管中的重吸收显著减少，因为在缺乏Xgr功能的情况下，Glut1向质膜的易位被显著破坏。他们的研究结果表明，Xgr在马氏小管中的功能对机体水平的全身葡萄糖供应和能量稳态至关重要，从而影响体型。他们的发现提供了能量平衡和动物发育过程中大小控制之间的机制联系。

据悉，体型控制是发育的基础，需要适当的能量摄入。其中一个关键的能量感知因子是ATP激活蛋白激酶（AMPK），它调节葡萄糖摄取以确保发育过程中ATP的产生和营养供应。

附：英文原文

Title: Xgr is involved in body size control in Drosophila through promoting glucose uptake in the Malpighian tubules

Author: Renjie Jiao a

Issue&Volume: 2025/05/27

Abstract: Body size control is fundamental to development and requires proper energy engagement. One of the key energy sensing factors is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which regulates glucose uptake to ensure ATP production and nutrition supply during development. Here, we identify that the mutation of xgr, a gene encoding an ATPase, results in a reduced body size in Drosophila. Xgr is primarily expressed in the epithelial cells of the Malpighian tubules and the midguts. Loss of xgr leads to the inactivation of the AMPK signaling due to an increased ATP level. Glucose reabsorption in the Malpighian tubules is significantly reduced, as the Glut1 translocation to the plasma membrane is significantly disrupted in the absence of Xgr function. Our results suggest that Xgr function in the Malpighian tubules is essential to systemic glucose supply and energy homeostasis at the organismal level, thereby impacting body size. Our findings provide a mechanistic connection between energy homeostasis and animal size control during development.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2025.05.007

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1673852725001511