Insulin‐like peptides (ILPs) belong to the insulin superfamily and act as hormones, neuromediators, and growth factors during the post‐embryonic life‐cycle stages of insects. These peptides are encoded by different genes in various species. In the genus Drosophila, eight peptides are known, seven of which are likely to bind the Drosophila insulin receptor, whereas DILP8 is a known ligand of the Lgr3 receptor. Binding of DILPs 1‐7 to receptors leads to activation of intracellular proteins related to the conserved insulin/IGF (insulin‐like growth factors) signaling pathway. The insulin pathway acts within a complex physiological regulatory network involved in the coordination of development, growth, behavior, metabolism, lifespan, and cognitive functions in insects. The current review summarizes recent data about the structure and function of ILPs in fruit flies. The role of environmental factors and genetic manipulations in modulating the functions of DILPs and their association with lifespan and metabolism of Drosophila are assessed. Further investigation and identification of pharmacological or biotechnological interventions that may decrease insulin/IGF signaling could be a highly promising approach for extension of human health span and longevity.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has become a serious challenge for medicine and science. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms associated with the clinical manifestations and severity of COVID-19 has identified several key points of immune dysregulation observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection. For diabetic patients, factors including higher binding affinity and virus penetration, decreased virus clearance and decreased T cell function, increased susceptibility to hyperinflammation, and cytokine storm may make these patients susceptible to a more severe course of COVID-19 disease. Metabolic changes induced by diabetes, especially hyperglycemia, can directly affect the immunometabolism of lymphocytes in part by affecting the activity of the mTOR protein kinase signaling pathway. High mTOR activity can enhance the progression of diabetes due to the activation of effector proinflammatory subpopulations of lymphocytes and, conversely, low activity promotes the differentiation of T-regulatory cells. Interestingly, metformin, an extensively used antidiabetic drug, inhibits mTOR by affecting the activity of AMPK. Therefore, activation of AMPK and/or inhibition of the mTOR-mediated signaling pathway may be an important new target for drug therapy in COVID-19 cases mostly by reducing the level of pro-inflammatory signaling and cytokine storm. These suggestions have been partially confirmed by several retrospective analyzes of patients with diabetes mellitus hospitalized for severe COVID-19.
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