RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Meep, a Novel Regulator of Insulin Signaling, Supports Development and Insulin Sensitivity via Maintenance of Protein Homeostasis in Drosophila melanogaster JF G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics FD Genetics Society of America SP 4399 OP 4410 DO 10.1534/g3.120.401688 VO 10 IS 12 A1 Pereira, Matthew T. A1 Brock, Katia A1 Musselman, Laura Palanker YR 2020 UL http://www.g3journal.org/content/10/12/4399.abstract AB Insulin signaling is critical for developmental growth and adult homeostasis, yet the downstream regulators of this signaling pathway are not completely understood. Using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, we took a genomic approach to identify novel mediators of insulin signaling. These studies led to the identification of Meep, encoded by the gene CG32335. Expression of this gene is both insulin receptor- and diet-dependent. We found that Meep was specifically required in the developing fat body to tolerate a high-sugar diet (HSD). Meep is not essential on a control diet, but when reared on an HSD, knockdown of meep causes hyperglycemia, reduced growth, developmental delay, pupal lethality, and reduced longevity. These phenotypes stem in part from Meep’s role in promoting insulin sensitivity and protein stability. This work suggests a critical role for protein homeostasis in development during overnutrition. Because Meep is conserved and obesity-associated in mammals, future studies on Meep may help to understand the role of proteostasis in insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes.