Drosophila as a Rapid Screening Model to Evaluate the Hypoglycemic Effects of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 (DPP4) Inhibitors: High Evolutionary Conservation of DPP4

Abstract

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors, commonly known as gliptins, have been an integral part of the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for several years. Despite their remarkable efficacy in lowering glucose levels and their compatibility with other hypoglycemic drugs, recent studies have revealed adverse effects, prompting the search for improved drugs within this category, which has required the use of animal models to verify the hypoglycemic effects of these compounds. Currently, in many countries the use of mammals is being significantly restricted, as well as cost prohibitive, and alternative in vivo approaches have been encouraged. In this sense, Drosophila has emerged as a promising alternative for several compelling reasons: it is cost-effective, offers high experimental throughput, is genetically manipulable, and allows the assessment of multigenerational effects, among other advantages. In this study, we present evidence that diprotin A, a DPP4 inhibitor, effectively reduces glucose levels in Drosophila hemolymph. This discovery underscores the potential of Drosophila as an initial screening tool for novel compounds directed against DPP4 enzymatic activity.