Seeing corpses reduces the life expectancy of flies

2023-06-14 10:17:34

A handful of neurons in the fly’s brain were identified as a key component of how adverse experiences, in this case the perception of dead conspecifics, modulate aging. – CHRISTI GENDRON

MADRID, 14 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Researchers from the University of Michigan have discovered the relationship between the perception of death and the reduction of aging in flies, as published in ‘PLOS Biology’.

The study, led by Christi Gendron, Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, shows that a specific group of fly brain cells, called R2 and R4 neurons, are activated when flies encounter other dead flies, and that this increased activity leads to faster aging.

Aging is a complex process that can be affected by both genetics and the environment. Although we know that perceptual experiences can affect aging, how this occurs remains a mystery. An example is the effect of “perception of death” in fruit flies.

Previously, the University of Michigan group reported that when fruit flies see other dead fruit flies, they experience advanced aging, and that this depends on a type of serotonin receptor.. In their new follow-up study, the researchers reveal the details of this process.

A series of experiments with fruit flies showed that a specific group of neurons is responsible. Fluorescent labeling showed that exposure to dead flies caused increased activity in a region of the fly brain called the ellipsoid body.

Silencing different ring neurons in this region revealed that two types of ring neurons, R2 and R4, are required for the effect, and further evidence showed that the key is the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor located on these neurons.

Finally, the researchers showed that when these neurons were artificially activated, the fruit fly’s lifespan was decreased, even when the flies did not actually experience any perception of death.

Understanding how these types of neural circuits regulate aging could lead to specific drug therapies in humans that slow down the aging process.

“We have identified specific neurons and evolutionarily conserved molecules in the fly brain that help adjust rates of aging. in response to environmental conditions and experiences,” concludes co-author and also Scott Pletcher Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology.