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Measurement of Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: January 7, 2013
Metabolic alterations in genetically selected Drosophila strains with different longevities
1Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202 USA.
Journal of the American Aging Association
|April 23, 2013
Summary
Long-lived Drosophila strains show altered metabolism, with increased antioxidant defenses and energy shifts from reproduction to maintenance. This supports theories of differential energy allocation in extending lifespan.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Extended longevity phenotype in Drosophila is linked to early-life events.
- Specific upregulation of antioxidant defense system (ADS) genes and enzymes in long-lived strains reduces oxidative damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate metabolic patterns in Drosophila strains selected for varying longevities.
- To understand the enzymatic basis for enhanced antioxidant defense and extended lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Assayed activity of 17 key metabolic enzymes in 5-7 day old flies from 13 selected Drosophila strains.
- Compared metabolic profiles of long-lived strains against normal-lived controls.
Main Results:
- Long-lived Drosophila strains exhibit an altered metabolic pattern compared to normal-lived strains.
- Increased flux through the pentose shunt and enhanced NADP+ reducing system observed.
- Metabolic alterations support increased activity of antioxidant defense system enzymes.
Conclusions:
- Metabolic shifts, including enhanced pentose shunt activity, support increased antioxidant defenses in long-lived flies.
- Extended longevity may involve a reallocation of energy from reproduction to somatic maintenance.
- Differential energy allocation theories provide an empirical explanation for longevity phenotype transformation.
