Gap junctions are ubiquitous in metazoans and play critical roles in important biological processes, including electrical conduction and development. Yet, only a few defined molecules passing through gap junction channels have been linked to specific functions. We isolated gap junction channel mutants that reduce coupling between the soma and germ cells in the C. elegans gonad. We provide evidence that malonyl-CoA, the rate-limiting substrate for fatty acid synthesis (FAS), is produced in the soma and delivered through gap junctions to the germline; there it is used by fatty acid synthase to critically support embryonic development. Separation of malonyl-CoA production from its site of utilization facilitates somatic control of germline development. Additionally, we demonstrate that loss of malonyl-CoA production in the intestine negatively impacts germline development independently of FAS. Our results suggest that metabolic outsourcing of malonyl-CoA may be a strategy by which the soma communicates nutritional status to the germline.

中文翻译：

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间隙连接将丙二酰辅酶A从体细胞传递到种系，以支持秀丽隐杆线虫的胚胎发生

间隙连接在后生动物中无处不在，并在重要的生物过程（包括电传导和发育）中发挥关键作用。然而，只有少数通过间隙连接通道的确定分子与特定功能相关。我们分离了间隙连接通道突变体，其减少了秀丽隐杆线虫中的体细胞和生殖细胞之间的偶联性腺。我们提供的证据表明，丙二酰辅酶A是脂肪酸合成（FAS）的限速底物，在体细胞中产生并通过间隙连接传递至种系。脂肪酸合酶可用来关键地支持胚胎发育。丙二酰辅酶A的生产与其使用地点分开可以促进对种系发育的体细胞控制。此外，我们证明了肠中丙二酰辅酶A产量的下降独立于FAS对种系发育产生了负面影响。我们的结果表明，丙二酰辅酶A的代谢外包可能是一种策略，通过这种策略，体细胞将营养状况传达给种系。