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Updated: Apr 5, 2026
Author Spotlight: Automated Lifespan Monitoring – Discovering Aging Dynamics with the Lifespan Machine
Published on: January 26, 2024
Target of rapamycin activation predicts lifespan in fruit flies
Filippo Scialò1, Ashwin Sriram1, Alba Naudí2
1a Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences; Newcastle University Institute for Ageing; Newcastle University ; Newcastle-Upon-Tyne , UK.
Abstract:
Aging and age-related diseases are one of the most important health issues that the world will confront during the 21(st) century. Only by understanding the proximal causes will we be able to find treatments to reduce or delay the onset of degenerative diseases associated with aging. Currently, the prevalent paradigm in the field is the accumulation of damage. However, a new theory that proposes an alternative explanation is gaining momentum. The hyperfunction theory proposes that aging is not a consequence of a wear and tear process, but a result of the continuation of developmental programs during adulthood. Here we use Drosophila melanogaster, where evidence supporting both paradigms has been reported, to identify which parameters that have been previously related with lifespan best predict the rate of aging in wild type flies cultured at different temperatures. We find that mitochondrial function and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation correlates with metabolic rate, but not with the rate of aging. Importantly, we find that activation of nutrient sensing pathways (i.e. insulin-PI3K/Target of rapamycin (Tor) pathway) correlates with lifespan, but not with metabolic rate. Our results, dissociate metabolic rate and lifespan in wild type flies and instead link nutrient sensing signaling with longevity as predicted by the hyperfunction theory.
Insights
Aging is not just wear and tear; the hyperfunction theory suggests it’s driven by overactive developmental programs. This study in fruit flies links nutrient sensing pathways, not metabolic rate, to longevity, supporting this new aging theory.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Aging and age-related diseases are significant global health challenges.
- Understanding aging's causes is crucial for developing interventions.
- The dominant 'damage accumulation' theory is being challenged by the 'hyperfunction theory'.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate parameters predicting the rate of aging in Drosophila melanogaster.
- To differentiate between the 'damage accumulation' and 'hyperfunction' theories of aging.
- To identify key factors influencing lifespan and aging rate.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.
- Cultured wild-type flies at varying temperatures.
- Measured mitochondrial function, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation, metabolic rate, and nutrient sensing pathway activation (insulin-PI3K/Target of rapamycin (Tor) pathway).
Main Results:
- Mitochondrial function and mtROS generation correlated with metabolic rate but not aging rate.
- Activation of nutrient sensing pathways correlated with lifespan, independent of metabolic rate.
- Metabolic rate and lifespan were dissociated in wild-type flies.
Conclusions:
- The study dissociates metabolic rate from lifespan in fruit flies.
- Findings support the hyperfunction theory, linking nutrient sensing pathways to longevity.
- This suggests aging may result from the continuation of developmental programs rather than solely damage accumulation.
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