A novel arrangement of midgut epithelium and hepatic cells implies a novel regulation of the insulin signaling pathway in long-lived millipedes

James B. Nardi, Lou Ann Miller, Charles M. Bee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Nutrients absorbed by the epithelial cells of the millipede midgut are channeled to a contiguous population of hepatic cells where sugars are stored as glycogen. In insects and other arthropods, however, nutrients absorbed by midgut epithelia are first passed across the epithelial basal surface to the hemolymph before storage in fat body. The inter-digitation of cellular processes at the interface of hepatic and midgut epithelial cells offers a vast surface area for exchange of nutrients. At this interface, numerous small vesicles with the dimensions of exosomes (∼30 nm) may represent the mediators of nutrient exchange. Longevity and the developmental arrest of diapause are associated with reduced insulin signaling. The long lifespans for which millipedes are known may be attributable to a novel pathway with reduced insulin signaling represented by the novel arrangement of hepatic storage cells and midgut epithelial absorbing cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)76-83
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of insect physiology
Volume91-92
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2016

Keywords

  • Diplopoda
  • Exosomes
  • Hepatic cells
  • Insulin signaling
  • Lifespan
  • Midgut epithelium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Insect Science

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