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Mitonuclear A×G×E: age-, genotype- and diet-dependent starvation tolerance as an indicator of healthspan in Drosophila melanogaster

Description

Abstract:
Biological Aging is a multifactorial process that is affected by both environment and genetics. Within cells, aging is jointly affected by genes encoded in both the nuclear and the mitochondrial genomes. We sought to determine how the function of dietary restriction (DR), the best known method of extending lifespan in animals, is affected by interactions between mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (nDNA) genomes, as well as the timing of a shift in diet. We exposed flies of 12 different mitonuclear genotypes (factorial combinations of 3 nuclear x 4 mtDNA genomes) to a shift from standard food to DR foods at both young and old ages and tested them for starvation resistance. We have found that both starvation resistance and healthspan (how long the flies are healthy) are extended the most by DR with a 3:1 carbohydrate:protein ratio. Younger flies benefit more from DR than older flies. However, mitonuclear genotype interactions can greatly affect the returns from DR. We have identified nuclear genotypes that show strong mtDNA-dependent responses to diet, and other nuclear genotypes that mask mtDNA effects on diet. These studies can provide novel genetic approaches to understanding the metabolic basis of age dependent stress resistance.

Citation

McAteer, Matthew P., "Mitonuclear A×G×E: age-, genotype- and diet-dependent starvation tolerance as an indicator of healthspan in Drosophila melanogaster" (2014). Summer Research Symposium. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://doi.org/10.26300/kgh1-kx30

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Collection:

  • Summer Research Symposium

    Each year, Brown University showcases the research of its undergraduates at the Summer Research Symposium. More than half of the student-researchers are UTRA recipients, while others receive funding from a variety of Brown-administered and national programs and fellowships and go …
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