Roles of Insect Oenocytes in Physiology and Their Relevance to Human Metabolic Diseases

Oenocytes are large secretory cells present in the abdomen of insects known to synthesize very-long-chain fatty acids produce hydrocarbons and pheromones that mediate courtship behavior adult flies. In recent years, oenocytes have been implicated regulation energy metabolism. These hepatocyte-like accumulate lipid droplets under starvation can non-autonomously regulate tracheal waterproofing adipocyte composition. Here, we summarize evidence, mostly from Drosophila , establishing perform liver-like functions. We also compare functional differences fat body, another storage tissue which performs Lastly, examine signaling pathways oenocyte metabolism derived other metabolic tissues, as well oenocyte-derived signals homeostasis.