PFKFB4 controls embryonic patterning via Akt signalling independently of glycolysis

Caterina Pegoraro, Ana Leonor Figueiredo, Frédérique Maczkowiak, Celio Pouponnot, Alain Eychène and Anne H. Monsoro-Burq ()
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Caterina Pegoraro: Université Paris Sud
Ana Leonor Figueiredo: Université Paris Sud
Frédérique Maczkowiak: Université Paris Sud
Celio Pouponnot: Université Paris Sud
Alain Eychène: Université Paris Sud
Anne H. Monsoro-Burq: Université Paris Sud

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract How metabolism regulators play roles during early development remains elusive. Here we show that PFKFB4 (6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 4), a glycolysis regulator, is critical for controlling dorsal ectoderm global patterning in gastrulating frog embryos via a non-glycolytic function. PFKFB4 is required for dorsal ectoderm progenitors to proceed towards more specified fates including neural and non-neural ectoderm, neural crest or placodes. This function is mediated by Akt signalling, a major pathway that integrates cell homeostasis and survival parameters. Restoring Akt signalling rescues the loss of PFKFB4 in vivo. In contrast, glycolysis is not essential for frog development at this stage. Our study reveals the existence of a PFKFB4–Akt checkpoint that links cell homeostasis to the ability of progenitor cells to undergo differentiation, and uncovers glycolysis-independent functions of PFKFB4.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6953

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