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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Measurement of Carbon Dioxide Production from Radiolabeled Substrates in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: June 27, 2016
Circadian regulation of response to oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster
Natraj Krishnan1, Andrew J Davis, Jadwiga M Giebultowicz
1Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. krishnan@science.oregonstate.edu
Abstract:
Circadian rhythms are fundamental biological phenomena generated by molecular genetic mechanisms known as circadian clocks. There is increasing evidence that circadian synchronization of physiological and cellular processes contribute to the wellness of organisms, curbing pathologies such as cancer and premature aging. Therefore, there is a need to understand how circadian clocks orchestrate interactions between the organism's internal processes and the environment. Here, we explore the nexus between the clock and oxidative stress susceptibility in Drosophila melanogaster. We exposed flies to acute oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), and determined that mortality rates were dependent on time at which exposure occurred during the day/night cycle. The daily susceptibility rhythm was abolished in flies with a null mutation in the core clock gene period (per) abrogating clock function. Furthermore, lack of per increased susceptibility to H(2)O(2) compared to wild-type flies, coinciding with enhanced generation of mitochondrial H(2)O(2) and decreased catalase activity due to oxidative damage. Taken together, our data suggest that the circadian clock gene period is essential for maintaining a robust anti-oxidative defense.
Insights
The circadian clock gene period (per) is crucial for protecting fruit flies against oxidative stress. Disrupting this gene increases susceptibility to damage from hydrogen peroxide.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Molecular Biology
- Oxidative Stress Research
Background:
- Circadian rhythms, regulated by molecular clocks, synchronize physiological processes, impacting organismal health.
- Disruptions in circadian rhythms are linked to pathologies like cancer and aging.
- Understanding the interplay between circadian clocks and environmental stressors is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the circadian clock and susceptibility to oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster.
- To determine the role of the core clock gene period (per) in mediating oxidative stress resistance.
Main Methods:
- Drosophila melanogaster were exposed to acute oxidative stress using hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)).
- Mortality rates were assessed based on the time of day of exposure.
- The effect of a null mutation in the period (per) gene on oxidative stress susceptibility and antioxidant defense was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Mortality rates in flies exposed to H(2)O(2) exhibited a daily rhythm, which was abolished in flies lacking the period (per) gene.
- Flies with a mutated period gene showed increased susceptibility to H(2)O(2) compared to wild-type flies.
- Lack of functional period gene led to increased mitochondrial H(2)O(2) generation and reduced catalase activity.
Conclusions:
- The circadian clock gene period is essential for maintaining robust antioxidant defenses against oxidative stress.
- The circadian clock plays a critical role in regulating the organism's response to environmental oxidative challenges.
- Disruption of circadian clock function compromises the ability to counteract oxidative damage.
