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Watanabe LP, Riddle NC. New opportunities: Drosophila as a model system for exercise research. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2019; 127:482-490. [DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00394.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Because of the growing rates of obesity in much of the world, exercise as a treatment option for obesity and as part of a healthy lifestyle is of great interest to the general public, health policy makers, and scientists alike. Despite the long history of exercise promotion and exercise research, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of how exercise impacts individuals and what role genetics plays in determining an individual’s response to exercise. Model organisms are positioned uniquely to help address these questions because of the challenges associated with carrying out large-scale, well-controlled studies in humans. The fruit fly model system, Drosophila melanogaster, has joined the models used for exercise research only recently but already has made significant contributions to the field. In this review, we highlight the opportunities for exercise research in Drosophila. We review the resources available to researchers interested in using Drosophila for exercise research, focusing on the existing systems to induce exercise in Drosophila, to measure the amount of exercise performed, and to assess physical fitness. We illustrate the potential of the Drosophila system by drawing attention to pioneering studies in Drosophila exercise research and emphasize the unique opportunities this model system represents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis P. Watanabe
- Department of Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Nicole C. Riddle
- Department of Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Champigny CM, Cormier RPJ, Simard CJ, St-Coeur PD, Fortin S, Pichaud N. Omega-3 Monoacylglyceride Effects on Longevity, Mitochondrial Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: Insights from Drosophila melanogaster. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16110453. [PMID: 30453574 PMCID: PMC6266923 DOI: 10.3390/md16110453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decade, essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived from marine sources have been investigated as nonpharmacological dietary supplements to improve different pathological conditions, as well as aging. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary n-3 PUFA monoacylglycerides (MAG, both EPA and DHA) on the mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress of a short-lifespan model, Drosophila melanogaster, sampled at five different ages. Our results showed that diets supplemented with MAG-EPA and MAG-DHA increased median lifespan by 14.6% and decreased mitochondrial proton leak resulting in an increase of mitochondrial coupling. The flies fed on MAG-EPA also had higher electron transport system capacity and mitochondrial oxidative capacities. Moreover, both n-3 PUFAs delayed the occurrence of lipid peroxidation but only flies fed the MAG-EPA diet showed maintenance of superoxide dismutase activity during aging. Our study therefore highlights the potential of n-3 PUFA monoacylglycerides as nutraceutical compounds to delay the onset of senescence by acting directly or indirectly on the mitochondrial metabolism and suggests that Drosophila could be a relevant model for the study of the fundamental mechanisms linking the effects of n-3 PUFAs to aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille M Champigny
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada.
| | - Robert P J Cormier
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada.
| | - Chloé J Simard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada.
| | - Patrick-Denis St-Coeur
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada.
| | | | - Nicolas Pichaud
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada.
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Abstract
Organ growth is fundamental to animal development. One of major mechanisms for growth control is mediated by the conserved Hippo signaling pathway initially identified in Drosophila. The core of this pathway in Drosophila consists of a cascade of protein kinases Hippo and Warts that negatively regulate transcriptional coactivator Yorkie (Yki). Activation of Yki promotes cell survival and proliferation to induce organ growth. A key issue in Hippo signaling is to understand how core kinase cascade is activated. Activation of Hippo kinase cascade is regulated in the upstream by at least two transmembrane proteins Crumbs and Fat that act in parallel. These membrane proteins interact with additional factors such as FERM-domain proteins Expanded and Merlin to modulate subcellular localization and function of the Hippo kinase cascade. Hippo signaling is also influenced by cytoskeletal networks and cell tension in epithelia of developing organs. These upstream events in the regulation of Hippo signaling are only partially understood. This review focuses on our current understanding of some upstream processes involved in Hippo signaling in developing Drosophila organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Wook Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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Watanabe LP, Riddle NC. Measuring Exercise Levels in Drosophila melanogaster Using the Rotating Exercise Quantification System (REQS). J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29889199 DOI: 10.3791/57751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster is a new model organism for studies in exercise biology. To date, two main exercise systems, the Power Tower and the Treadwheel have been described. However, a method to measure the amount of additional animal activity induced through the exercise treatment has been lacking. The Rotating Exercise Quantification System (REQS) fills this need, providing a measure of animal activity for animals experiencing rotational exercise. This protocol details how to use the REQS to assess animal activity during rotational exercise and illustrates the type of data that can be generated. Here, we demonstrate how the REQS is used to measure sex- and strain-specific differences in exercise induced activity. The REQS can also be used to evaluate the impact of various other experimental parameters such as age, diet, or population size on exercise induced activity. In addition, it can be used to compare the efficacy of different exercise training protocols. Importantly, it provides an opportunity to standardize exercise treatments between strains, allowing the researcher to achieve equal amounts of activity between groups if needed. Thus, the REQS is a notable new resource for exercise biologists working with the Drosophila model system and complements existing exercise systems.
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Koyle ML, Veloz M, Judd AM, Wong ACN, Newell PD, Douglas AE, Chaston JM. Rearing the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster Under Axenic and Gnotobiotic Conditions. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27500374 DOI: 10.3791/54219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of microbes on myriad animal traits and behaviors has been increasingly recognized in recent years. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a model for understanding microbial interactions with animal hosts, facilitated by approaches to rear large sample sizes of Drosophila under microorganism-free (axenic) conditions, or with defined microbial communities (gnotobiotic). This work outlines a method for collection of Drosophila embryos, hypochlorite dechorionation and sterilization, and transfer to sterile diet. Sterilized embryos are transferred to sterile diet in 50 ml centrifuge tubes, and developing larvae and adults remain free of any exogenous microbes until the vials are opened. Alternatively, flies with a defined microbiota can be reared by inoculating sterile diet and embryos with microbial species of interest. We describe the introduction of 4 bacterial species to establish a representative gnotobiotic microbiota in Drosophila. Finally, we describe approaches for confirming bacterial community composition, including testing if axenic Drosophila remain bacteria-free into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda L Koyle
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University
| | - Madeline Veloz
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University
| | - Alec M Judd
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University
| | - Adam C-N Wong
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University; Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Peter D Newell
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University; Biological Sciences, SUNY Oswego
| | - Angela E Douglas
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University
| | - John M Chaston
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University; Department of Entomology, Cornell University;
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Brüser L, Bogdan S. Molecular Control of Actin Dynamics In Vivo: Insights from Drosophila. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2016; 235:285-310. [PMID: 27757759 DOI: 10.1007/164_2016_33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton provides mechanical support for cells and generates forces to drive cell shape changes and cell migration in morphogenesis. Molecular understanding of actin dynamics requires a genetically traceable model system that allows interdisciplinary experimental approaches to elucidate the regulatory network of cytoskeletal proteins in vivo. Here, we will discuss some examples of how advances in Drosophila genetics and high-resolution imaging techniques contribute to the discovery of new actin functions, signaling pathways, and mechanisms of actin regulation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Brüser
- Institute for Neurobiology, University of Muenster, Badestrasse 9, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sven Bogdan
- Institute for Neurobiology, University of Muenster, Badestrasse 9, 48149, Muenster, Germany.
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Kroll JR, Saras A, Tanouye MA. Drosophila sodium channel mutations: Contributions to seizure-susceptibility. Exp Neurol 2015; 274:80-7. [PMID: 26093037 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews Drosophila voltage-gated Na(+) channel mutations encoded by the para (paralytic) gene and their contributions to seizure disorders in the fly. Numerous mutations cause seizure-sensitivity, for example, para(bss1), with phenotypes that resemble human intractable epilepsy in some aspects. Seizure phenotypes are also seen with human GEFS+ spectrum mutations that have been knocked into the Drosophila para gene, para(GEFS+) and para(DS) alleles. Other para mutations, para(ST76) and para(JS) act as seizure-suppressor mutations reverting seizure phenotypes in other mutants. Seizure-like phenotypes are observed from mutations and other conditions that cause a persistent Na(+) current through either changes in mRNA splicing or protein structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Kroll
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Arunesh Saras
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Mark A Tanouye
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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Wangler MF, Yamamoto S, Bellen HJ. Fruit flies in biomedical research. Genetics 2015; 199:639-53. [PMID: 25624315 PMCID: PMC4349060 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.114.171785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many scientists complain that the current funding situation is dire. Indeed, there has been an overall decline in support in funding for research from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Within the Drosophila field, some of us question how long this funding crunch will last as it demotivates principal investigators and perhaps more importantly affects the long-term career choice of many young scientists. Yet numerous very interesting biological processes and avenues remain to be investigated in Drosophila, and probing questions can be answered fast and efficiently in flies to reveal new biological phenomena. Moreover, Drosophila is an excellent model organism for studies that have translational impact for genetic disease and for other medical implications such as vector-borne illnesses. We would like to promote a better collaboration between Drosophila geneticists/biologists and human geneticists/bioinformaticians/clinicians, as it would benefit both fields and significantly impact the research on human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030 Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030 Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030 Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030 Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Texas 77030
| | - Hugo J Bellen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Houston, Texas 77030 Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030 Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Texas 77030 Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Texas 77030 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Houston, Texas 77030
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