Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Morphological and Functional Evaluation of Axons and their Synapses during Axon Death in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: March 16, 2020
RNAi of the electron transport chain ATPsynβL in glutamate neurons protects against age-related intestinal barrier
Maria Longenecker1, Zoe Clymer1, Abigail Forrest1
1Department of Biology, Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA, US.
Abstract:
Maintenance of the intestinal barrier and abundance of intestinal microbiota are important markers for physiological aging. Glutamate neuron-specific RNAi of the electron transport chain ATPsynβL gene has been demonstrated to extend life span and affect daytime sleep behaviors in Drosophila . We investigate the intestinal barrier in the ATPsynβL RNAi flies and notice a more intact intestinal barrier and fewer intestinal bacteria in late-stage adulthood. These results provide one possible explanation for the prolonged life span in the ATPsynβL RNAi flies.
Related Concept Videos
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
ATP Synthase: Mechanism
Mitochondria
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...