Long-lived organisms tend to be more resistant to various forms of environmental stress. An example is the Drosophila longevity mutant, methuselah, which has enhanced resistance to heat, oxidants, and starvation. To identify genes regulated by these three stresses, we made a cDNA library for each by subtraction of "unstressed" from "stressed" cDNA and used DNA hybridization to identify genes that are regulated by all three. This screen indeed identified 13 genes, some already known to be involved in longevity, plus candidate genes. Two of these, hsp26 and hsp27, were chosen to test for their effects on lifespan by generating transgenic lines and by using the upstream activating sequence/GAL4 system. Overexpression of either hsp26 or hsp27 extended the mean lifespan by 30%, and the flies also displayed increased stress resistance. The results demonstrate that multiple-stress screening can be used to identify new longevity genes.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0404648101 | DOI Listing |
Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A & F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China. Electronic address:
Aging is a complicated process, featuring the progressive deterioration of physiological functions and a heightened susceptibility to diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Apigenin, a flavonoid existing in various plants, has attracted attention due to its potential role in anti-aging. In this investigation, the potential effect of apigenin on extending lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and Drosophila melanogaster (flies) was explored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
The emergence of insecticide resistance has increased the need for alternative pest management tools. Numerous genetic biocontrol approaches, which involve the release of genetically modified organisms to control pest populations, are in various stages of development to provide highly targeted pest control. However, all current mating-based genetic biocontrol technologies function by releasing engineered males which skew sex-ratios or reduce offspring viability in subsequent generations which leaves mated females to continue to cause harm (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntioxidants (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), caused by the abnormal expansion of polyglutamine (polyQ) in the ataxin-3 protein, is one of the inherited polyQ neurodegenerative diseases that share similar genetic and molecular features. Mutant polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 protein is prone to aggregation in affected neurons and is predominantly degraded by autophagy, which is beneficial for neurodegenerative disease treatment. Not only does mutant polyQ-expanded ataxin-3 increase susceptibility to oxidative cytotoxicity, but it also hampers antioxidant potency in neuronal cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
December 2024
Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tennodai 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan.
Protein is essential for all living organisms; however, excessive protein intake can have adverse effects, such as hyperammonemia. Although mechanisms responding to protein deficiency are well-studied, there is a significant gap in our understanding of how organisms adaptively suppress excessive protein intake. In the present study, utilizing the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, we discover that the peptide hormone CCHamide1 (CCHa1), secreted by enteroendocrine cells in response to a high-protein diet (HPD), is vital for suppressing overconsumption of protein.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvol Appl
December 2024
Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia.
Biocontrol techniques that impair reproductive capacity of insect pests provide opportunities to control the dynamics of their populations while minimizing collateral damage to non-target species and the environment. The Trojan Female Technique, or TFT, is a method of the trans-generational fertility-based population control through the release of females that carry mitochondrial DNA mutations that negatively affect male, but not female, reproductive output. TFT is based on the evolutionary hypothesis that, due to maternal inheritance of mitochondria, mutations which are beneficial or neutral in females but harmful in males can accumulate in the mitochondrial genome without selection acting against them.
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