Diacylglycerol metabolism drives host-pathogen responses during enteric infection in <i>Drosophila</i>.

ABSTRACT: Lipid metabolism is fundamental to cellular homeostasis, supporting energy storage, membrane architecture, and cellular signaling. Beyond these canonical roles, lipids have emerged as critical regulators of host immunity. Here, we define a lipid-driven mechanism that governs host-pathogen interactions by impacting pathogen clearance and thus infection outcomes. Exploiting Drosophila, we show that enteric infection triggers robust accumulation of neutral lipids, and specifically 1,2-diacylglycerols (DAGs), in the midgut. Disruption of DAG biosynthesis or lipid transport in midgut enterocytes (ECs) impairs lipid accumulation and reduces host survival. Conversely, dietary lipid supplementation enhances lipid storage and improves survival. Mechanistically, these lipid-dependent responses regul

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12424769 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature