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Dos Santos E, Cochemé HM. How does a fly die? Insights into ageing from the pathophysiology of Drosophila mortality. GeroScience 2024:10.1007/s11357-024-01158-4. [PMID: 38642259 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a common animal model in ageing research. Large populations of flies are used to study the impact of genetic, nutritional and pharmacological interventions on survival. However, the processes through which flies die and their relative prevalence in Drosophila populations are still comparatively unknown. Understanding the causes of death in an animal model is essential to dissect the lifespan-extending interventions that are organism- or disease-specific from those broadly applicable to ageing. Here, we review the pathophysiological processes that can lead to fly death and discuss their relation to ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliano Dos Santos
- MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS), Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Helena M Cochemé
- MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS), Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK.
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0HS, UK.
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Santos-Silva T, Lopes CFB, Guimarães JDS, Valer FB, Kuhn GCSE, Romero TRL, Naves LA, Duarte IDG. Classical analgesic drugs modulate nociceptive-like escape behavior in Drosophila melanogaster larvae. RESEARCH RESULTS IN PHARMACOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/rrpharmacology.8.91390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Nociceptive stimulus triggers escape responses in Drosophila melanogaster larvae, characterized by 360° rolling behavior along its own body axis. Therefore, it is possible to study analgesic drugs based on this stereotypical nociceptive-like escape behavior. Here, we aimed to develop an analgesic predictive validity test of thermal nociception through D. melanogaster larvae.
Materials and methods: We evaluated the effect of classical analgesics (morphine, dipyrone, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and dexamethasone (DXM)) in the rolling behavior latency of D. melanogaster larvae exposed to thermal-acute noxious stimulus and nociceptive sensitization paradigm. Drugs were injected into hemocoel (100 nL) before nociceptive measurement.
Results and discussion: Rolling behavior latency was increased by morphine (2, 4, 8 and 16 ng) in dose-dependent manner. Naloxone (4 ng) fully reversed maximum effect of morphine. Dipyrone (32, 64 and 128 ng) and DXM (8 and 16 ng) elicited dose-dependent antinociceptive effects. Exposure of larvae to 97% of maximal infrared intensity induced nociceptive sensitization, i.e., latency changed from 12 to 7.5 seconds. ASA (25, 50 and 100 ng) and DXM (4, 8 and 16 ng) were administered 150 min after nociceptive sensitization and displayed reverse sensitization in rapid onset (30 min after injection). DXM (16 ng), injected prior to nociceptive sensitization, displayed a delay in the onset of action (150 min after injection). Locomotor behaviors were not affected by analgesic substances.
Conclusion: Our findings open perspectives for evaluation and discovery of antinociceptive drugs using D. melanogaster larvae model.
Graphical abstract
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Vettorazzi S, Nalbantoglu D, Gebhardt JCM, Tuckermann J. A guide to changing paradigms of glucocorticoid receptor function-a model system for genome regulation and physiology. FEBS J 2021; 289:5718-5743. [PMID: 34213830 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a bona fide ligand-regulated transcription factor. Cloned in the 80s, the GR has become one of the best-studied and clinically most relevant members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Cooperative activity of GR with other transcription factors and a plethora of coregulators contribute to the tissue- and context-specific response toward the endogenous and pharmacological glucocorticoids (GCs). Furthermore, nontranscriptional activities in the cytoplasm are emerging as an additional function of GR. Over the past 40 years, the concepts of GR mechanisms of action had been constantly changing. Different methodologies in the pregenomic and genomic era of molecular biological research and recent cutting-edge technology in single-cell and single-molecule analysis are steadily evolving the views, how the GR in particular and transcriptional regulation in general act in physiological and pathological processes. In addition to the development of technologies for GR analysis, the use of model organisms provides insights how the GR in vivo executes GC action in tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and energy metabolism. The model organisms, namely the mouse, but also rats, zebrafish, and recently fruit flies carrying mutations of the GR became a major driving force to analyze the molecular function of GR in disease models. This guide provides an overview of the exciting research and paradigm shifts in the GR field from past to present with a focus on GR transcription factor networks, GR DNA-binding and single-cell analysis, and model systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Vettorazzi
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology (CME), Ulm University, Germany
| | - Denis Nalbantoglu
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology (CME), Ulm University, Germany
| | | | - Jan Tuckermann
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology (CME), Ulm University, Germany
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Ma P, Zhang Y, Liang Q, Yin Y, Wang S, Han R, Huo C, Deng H. Mifepristone (RU486) inhibits dietary lipid digestion by antagonizing the role of glucocorticoid receptor on lipase transcription. iScience 2021; 24:102507. [PMID: 34308280 PMCID: PMC8257970 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid digestion and absorption are tightly regulated to cope with metabolic demands among tissues. How these processes are coordinated is not well characterized. Here, we found that mifepristone (RU486) prevents lipid digestion both in flies and mice. In flies, RU486 administration suppresses lipid digestion by transcriptional downregulating Magro in guts. Similarly, intestinal lipid uptake in mice was also suppressed by RU486 through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Further studies showed that the pancreatic lipase Pnlip is a direct transcriptional target of GR in pancreas tissues. Glucocorticoid levels in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD) are significantly lower than those fed on a conventional diet, and RU486 administration inhibits HFD-induced obesity both in mice and flies. Our findings identified a novel mechanism of RU486 functions as a GR antagonist systematically regulating lipid metabolism, providing new insight on the role of Glucocorticoid/GR in Cushing disease, diabetes, and other related metabolic syndromes. RU486 suppresses lipid digestion both in mice and flies. In flies, lipase Magro is transcriptionally suppressed by RU486 through dERR. In mice, intestinal lipid digestion is inhibited by RU486 through (GR)/PTL pathway in pancreas. RU486 alleviates high fat diet-induced obesity both in flies and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ma
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 6B, Shixun Bldg, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 6B, Shixun Bldg, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Qiying Liang
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 6B, Shixun Bldg, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Youjie Yin
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 6B, Shixun Bldg, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Saifei Wang
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 6B, Shixun Bldg, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Ruolei Han
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 6B, Shixun Bldg, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Chunyu Huo
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 6B, Shixun Bldg, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Hansong Deng
- Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, 6B, Shixun Bldg, 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 20092, China
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Drosophila melanogaster Y Chromosome Genes Affect Male Sensitivity to Microbial Infections. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12010030. [PMID: 33466347 PMCID: PMC7824794 DOI: 10.3390/insects12010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary This manuscript focuses on the protein-encoding genes of the Drosophila melanogaster Y chromosome and their role in immunity. Since their discovery, these genes have mainly been studied for their role(s) in male fertility, such as spermatogenesis. Two previously published papers have linked the polymorphism within the Y chromosome and immunity. Currently, there is no research article to our knowledge that has studied the effect of the individual genes of the Y chromosome on fly immunity. Here, we aim to address the lack of immunity-related knowledge of Y chromosome genes by determining the effect of many of these genes on male sensitivity to microbial infections. We challenged loss-of-function gene mutants with bacterial and fungal pathogens orally and observed any significant fly survival changes. We discovered several genes affecting male sensitivity to both bacterial and fungal infections. While most of the Y chromosome genes were found to reduce sensitivity, we found one gene increases sensitivity to fungal infection. Because several genes were found to increase male sensitivity to microbial infections, inhibitors for such genes could be introduced in areas where fruit flies are pests. Amid declining bee populations, Diptera pollinators could be protected from fungal infections with Y-gene inhibitors. Abstract The genders of Drosophila melanogaster vary in their sensitivities to microbial pathogens. While many of the immunity-related genes are located on the X chromosome, the polymorphisms within the Y chromosome were also shown to affect the immunity of flies. In this study, we investigated the necessity of individual genes on the Y chromosome (Y-genes) for male sensitivity to microbes. We identified several Y-genes whose genetic inactivation either increases or decreases the sensitivity of males to gastrointestinal infections with fungal Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bacterial Serratia liquefaciens. Specifically, the loss of function mutations in fly kl-5 and Ppr-Y Y-genes lead to increased and decreased sensitivity of males to fungal challenge, respectively, compared to female sensitivity. In contrast, mutations in Drosophila Pp1-Y1, kl-5, kl-3, Ppr-Y, CCY, and FDY Y-genes lead to increased sensitivity of males to bacterial infection, compared to females. Moreover, while these Y-genes are necessary, the Y chromosome is not sufficient for the sensitivity of males to microbes, since the sensitivity of XXY females to fungal and bacterial challenges was not different from the sensitivity of wild-type female flies, compared to males. This study assigns a new immunity-related function to numerous Y-genes in D.melanogaster.
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Alameh S, Bartolo G, O’Brien S, Henderson EA, Gonzalez LO, Hartmann S, Klimko CP, Shoe JL, Cote CK, Grill LK, Levitin A, Martchenko Shilman M. Anthrax toxin component, Protective Antigen, protects insects from bacterial infections. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008836. [PMID: 32866212 PMCID: PMC7458312 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a major zoonotic disease of wildlife, and in places like West Africa, it can be caused by Bacillus anthracis in arid nonsylvatic savannahs, and by B. cereus biovar anthracis (Bcbva) in sylvatic rainforests. Bcbva-caused anthrax has been implicated in as much as 38% of mortality in rainforest ecosystems, where insects can enhance the transmission of anthrax-causing bacteria. While anthrax is well-characterized in mammals, its transmission by insects points to an unidentified anthrax-resistance mechanism in its vectors. In mammals, a secreted anthrax toxin component, 83 kDa Protective Antigen (PA83), binds to cell-surface receptors and is cleaved by furin into an evolutionary-conserved PA20 and a pore-forming PA63 subunits. We show that PA20 increases the resistance of Drosophila flies and Culex mosquitoes to bacterial challenges, without directly affecting the bacterial growth. We further show that the PA83 loop known to be cleaved by furin to release PA20 from PA63 is, in part, responsible for the PA20-mediated protection. We found that PA20 binds directly to the Toll activating peptidoglycan-recognition protein-SA (PGRP-SA) and that the Toll/NF-κB pathway is necessary for the PA20-mediated protection of infected flies. This effect of PA20 on innate immunity may also exist in mammals: we show that PA20 binds to human PGRP-SA ortholog. Moreover, the constitutive activity of Imd/NF-κB pathway in MAPKK Dsor1 mutant flies is sufficient to confer the protection from bacterial infections in a manner that is independent of PA20 treatment. Lastly, Clostridium septicum alpha toxin protects flies from anthrax-causing bacteria, showing that other pathogens may help insects resist anthrax. The mechanism of anthrax resistance in insects has direct implications on insect-mediated anthrax transmission for wildlife management, and with potential for applications, such as reducing the sensitivity of pollinating insects to bacterial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleem Alameh
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Gloria Bartolo
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Summer O’Brien
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Henderson
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Leandra O. Gonzalez
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Stella Hartmann
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher P. Klimko
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jennifer L. Shoe
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Christopher K. Cote
- Bacteriology Division, US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Laurence K. Grill
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
| | - Anastasia Levitin
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AL); (MMS)
| | - Mikhail Martchenko Shilman
- Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AL); (MMS)
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