The contribution by mitochondrially induced oxidative damage to aging in Drosophila melanogaster

Strains of Drosophila melanogaster have been generated that vary in the mitochondrial genome and have a common nuclear genome. Tetracycline was used to cure the strains of the endocommensal bacteria, Wolbachia, which is transmitted maternally. Variation in the tetracycline responsive agent contributed substantially to variation in longevity and production of metabolic oxidants. Changes in diurnal cycle of activity have been investigated: such changes should be responsive to metabolism-related damage because of the role of the very active neurons, retinal cells and muscle. The metabolic oxidant model predicts that longevity and production of metabolic oxidants should be negatively correlated, and that deterioration of behavior with age and metabolic oxidant production should be positively correlated. Only the first prediction was verified: rate of change in behavior correlated with metabolic oxidants, consistent with a role of metabolic oxidants in this age-related change. However, the data indicates a role for mitochondria in determination longevity, other than by production of metabolic oxidants.