Work

Insect Fat Body: Energy, Metabolism, and Regulation

Year: 2009

Type: review

Abstract: The fat body plays major roles in the life of insects. It is a dynamic tissue involved in multiple metabolic functions. One of these functions is to store and release energy in response to the energy demands of the insect. Insects store energy reserves in the form of glycogen and triglycerides in the adipocytes, the main fat body cell. Insect adipocytes can store a great amount of lipid reserves as cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Lipid metabolism is essential for growth and reproduction and provides energy needed during extended nonfeeding periods. This review focuses on energy storage and release and summarizes current understanding of the mechanisms underlying these processes in insects.

Source: Annual Review of Entomology

DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-112408-085356

Authors: Estela L. Arrese, Jose L. Soulages

Institution: Oklahoma State University

Language: English

Topic: Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis

Subfield: Biochemistry

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Oklahoma State University, National Institutes of Health, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: G2358728310, Structure and Function of Apolipoproteins, Mobilization of Triacylglycerol Stores in Insects, STRUCTURE/FUNCTION OF APOLIPOPROTEINS