Glia phagocytose neuronal sphingolipids to infiltrate developing synapses.

ABSTRACT: The complex morphologies of mature neurons and glia emerge through profound rearrangements of cell membranes during development. Despite being integral components of these membranes, it is unclear whether lipids might actively sculpt these morphogenic processes. By analyzing lipid levels in the developing fruit fly brain, we discover dramatic increases in specific sphingolipids coinciding with neural circuit establishment. Disrupting this sphingolipid bolus via genetic perturbations of sphingolipid biosynthesis and catabolism leads to impaired glial autophagy. Remarkably, glia can obtain sphingolipid precursors needed for autophagy by phagocytosing neurons. These precursors are then converted into specific long-chain ceramide phosphoethanolamines (CPEs), invertebrate analogs of sphingomyel

SUBMITTER: Theisen EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12045345 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature