Aging mechanisms in fruit flies
- 1 October 1996
- Vol. 18 (10), 799-807
- https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.950181006
Abstract
Genetic analysis of Drosophil has provided evidence in support of two proposed evolutionary genetic mechanisms of aging: mutation accumulation and antagonistic pleiotropy. Both mechanisms result from the lack of natural selection acting on old organisms. Analyses of large numbers of flies have revealed that mortality rates do not continue to rise with age as previously thought, but plateau at advanced ages. This phenomenon has implications both for models and for definitions of aging, and may be explained by the evolutionary theories. The physiological processes and genes most relevant to aging are being identified using Drosophila lines selected in the laboratory for postponed senescence. Oxidative stress and insufficient metabolic reserves/capacity may be particularly important factors in limiting the fruitfly lifespan. Genes which exhibit aging‐related changes in expression are now being identified. Transgenic flies are being used to analyze the mechanisms of such aging‐related gene expression, and to test the effects of specific genes on aging and aging‐related deterioration.Keywords
This publication has 64 references indexed in Scilit:
- Factors contributing to the plasticity of the extended longevity phenotypes of DrosophilaExperimental Gerontology, 1996
- Comparative biochemical and stress analysis of genetically selected drosophila strains with different longevitiesDevelopmental Genetics, 1995
- The Evolution of Development in Drosophila melanogaster Selected for Postponed SenescenceEvolution, 1994
- A genetic analysis of senescence in DrosophilaNature, 1994
- Transposable Elements as a Factor in the Aging of Drosophila melanogasterAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1992
- Demography of Genotypes: Failure of the Limited Life-Span Paradigm in Drosophila melanogasterScience, 1992
- Direct and Correlated Responses to Selection on Age at Reproduction in Drosophila melanogasterEvolution, 1992
- How Long Is the Human Life-Span?Science, 1991
- Successful selection for increased longevity in Drosophila: Analysis of the survival data and presentation of a hypothesis on the genetic regulation of longevityExperimental Gerontology, 1987
- The probability of survival of a mutant gene in an age-structured population and implications for the evolution of life-historiesGenetics Research, 1975