Aneuploidy-induced cellular behaviors: Insights from Drosophila

A balanced gene complement is crucial for proper cell function. Aneuploidy, the condition of having an imbalanced chromosome set, alters the stoichiometry of gene copy numbers and protein complexes and has dramatic consequences at the cellular and organismal levels. In humans, aneuploidy is associated with different pathological conditions including cancer, microcephaly, mental retardation, miscarriages, and aging. Over the last century, Drosophila has provided a valuable system for studying the consequences of systemic aneuploidies. More recently, it has contributed to the identification and molecular dissection of aneuploidy-induced cellular behaviors and their impact at the tissue and organismal levels. In this perspective, we review this active field of research, first by comparing knowledge from yeast, mouse, and human cells, then by highlighting the contributions of Drosophila. The aim of these discussions was to further our understanding of the functional interplay between aneuploidy, cell physiology, and tissue homeostasis in human development and disease.