Control of metabolism by central and peripheral clocks in drosophila

Abstract

Drosophila is a powerful system for the molecular analysis of circadian clocks, providing the first account of how such a clock is generated. It is also proving to be an excellent model to dissect the neural basis of circadian behavior. In addition, clocks are located in peripheral tissues in flies, but much less is known about these clocks and about the physiological processes they control. This chapter describes the use of Drosophila for understanding the circadian control of metabolism. While a clock in the fat body is critical for metabolic function, it is clear that neuronal clocks are also involved. Indeed, synchrony between these clocks is important for reproductive fitness. A complex interplay between circadian and metabolic signals is indicated by the finding that metabolic pathways can even impact rest:activity rhythms controlled by the brain clock. Drosophila may be an optimal system to dissect the nature of these interactions and their importance for organismal fitness and life span.