Drosophila as a Model Organism to Study Basic Mechanisms of Longevity

Abstract

The spatio-temporal regulation of gene expression determines the fate and function of various cells and tissues and, as a consequence, the correct development and functioning of complex organisms. Certain mechanisms of gene activity regulation provide adequate cell responses to changes in environmental factors. Aside from gene expression disorders that lead to various pathologies, alterations of expression of particular genes were shown to significantly decrease or increase the lifespan in a wide range of organisms from yeast to human. Drosophila fruit fly is an ideal model system to explore mechanisms of longevity and aging due to low cost, easy handling and maintenance, large number of progeny per adult, short life cycle and lifespan, relatively low number of paralogous genes, high evolutionary conservation of epigenetic mechanisms and signalling pathways, and availability of a wide range of tools to modulate gene expression in vivo. Here, we focus on the organization of the evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways whose components significantly influence the aging process and on the interconnections of these pathways with gene expression regulation.

Antigenotoxic and Life-Prolonging Effects of Flavoured Kombuchas on Drosophila melanogaster

“…The concentration and types of phenolic compounds can interfere with the bioactive effects of kombucha. Based on our previous study (23), the tested black tea kombucha (14 days fermentation) had the highest antioxidant activity (655 µmol/mL) followed by hopflavoured kombucha (634 µmol/mL). Further, a strong correlation has been reported between the total flavonoid and the antioxidant activity (r=0.69, p<0.05).…”

Angelica keiskei Impacts the Lifespan and Healthspan of Drosophila melanogaster in a Sex and Strain-Dependent Manner

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluated the impact of A. keiskei supplementation on the lifespan and healthspan of an animal. We chose the model organism Drosophila melanogaster as 75% of its genes have functional homology to humans and its short lifecycle and lifespan of about Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16, 738 2 of 11 60 days makes it ideal for anti-aging studies [18]. Furthermore, previous experiments have successfully used D. melanogaster to study the impact of pharmacological interventions such as Rhodiola rosea and resveratrol on the lifespan and healthspan of flies [19][20][21][22][23].…”

Studying the Geroprotective Properties of YAP/TAZ Signaling Inhibitors on Drosophila melanogaster Model

“…Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most studied and genetically tractable model organisms for investigating the mechanisms of aging and anti-aging interventions [ 35 , 36 ] using evolutionarily conserved aging-related signaling pathways as potential drug targets [ 37 , 38 ]. Drosophila Yorkie (Yki) is a homolog of mammalian YAP/TAZ [ 39 , 40 ] that allows the use of fly models in studies of the geroprotective properties of Yap/Taz inhibitors.…”