Accepted_test

The expression level of GSK3 in specific groups of dopaminergic neurons influences the lifespan and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster
by Veselkina E | Roshina N | Trostnikov M | Pasyukova E | National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, 123182, Russia | National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, 123182, Russia | Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia | National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, Moscow, 123182, Russia
Abstract ID: 625
Event: BGRS-abstracts
Sections: Section “Genetics and systems biology of aging”

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons are an important part of the nervous system. In both Drosophila melanogaster and mammals, DA neurons perform similar functions: they are involved in the control of feeding behavior, mobility, circadian rhythms, memory. The gene shaggy, encoding the highly conserved protein kinase GSK3, plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the dopaminergic system.

We evaluated the impact of altered shaggy expression, which provided a dominantly negative effect in specific clusters of DA neurons on lifespan of virgin females and males of D. melanogaster. In males, expression in the pal cluster significantly decreases lifespan. In females, changes in shaggy expression in the ppm2 cluster lead to an increase in lifespan of virgin females, but this effect is only observed in the absence of shaggy expression in other clusters, which may indicate a divergent contribution of different groups of neurons to lifespan control. Local changes in shaggy expression in DA neuron clusters result in an increase in lifespan of mated females without reducing their fecundity.

We have shown that alterations in the function of a single gene in specific clusters of DA neurons can influence lifespan. In addition, we have once again demonstrated sexual dimorphism in lifespan: in males and females it depends on different DA neurons with altered shaggy expression. The change in lifespan is not explained by compensatory weakening of reproductive function or reduced food consumption and, consequently, decreased caloric intake. The search for molecular and cellular mechanisms of the GSK3 influence on lifespan will continue.