Origin and Development of the Adipose Tissue, a Key Organ in Physiology and Disease

Adipose tissue is a dynamic organ, well known for its function in energy storage and mobilization according to nutrient availability and body needs, in charge of keeping the energetic balance of the organism. During the last decades, adipose tissue has emerged as the largest endocrine organ in the human body, being able to secrete hormones as well as inflammatory molecules and having an important impact in multiple processes such as adipogenesis, metabolism and chronic inflammation. However, the cellular progenitors, development, homeostasis and metabolism of the different types of adipose tissue are not fully known. During the last decade, Drosophila melanogaster has demonstrated to be an excellent model to tackle some of the open questions in the field of metabolism and development of endocrine/metabolic organs. Discoveries ranged from new hormones regulating obesity to subcellular mechanisms that regulate lipogenesis and lipolysis. Here, we review the available evidences on the development, types and functions of adipose tissue in Drosophila and identify some gaps for future research. This may help to understand the cellular and molecular mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of this fascinating key tissue, contributing to establish this organ as a therapeutic target.MINECO/ MICINN/FEDER, EU (BFU 2017-84653-P and PID 2020-114178GB-I00)Severo Ochoa Excellence Program (SEV-2016-0644)UBIRed Program (SAF 2017-90900-REDT)UbiCODE Program (765445-EU)Basque Country Government (IT1165-19)Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade of the Basque Country Government (Elkartek Research Programs)Innovation Technology Department of the Bizkaia County6.081 Q1 JCR 20211.440 Q1 SJR 2021No data IDR 2021UE