Authors: Lin YJ; Seroude L; Benzer S
Abstract: Toward a genetic dissection of the processes involved in aging, a screen for gene mutations that extend life-span in Drosophila melanogaster was performed. The mutant line methuselah (mth) displayed approximately 35 percent increase in average life-span and enhanced resistance to various forms of stress, including starvation, high temperature, and dietary paraquat, a free-radical generator. The mth gene predicted a protein with homology to several guanosine triphosphate-binding protein-coupled seven-transmembrane domain receptors. Thus, the organism may use signal transduction pathways to modulate stress response and life-span.
Keywords: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Base Sequence; Cloning, Molecular; DNA Transposable Elements; *Drosophila Proteins; Drosophila melanogaster/*genetics/*physiology; Female; Food Deprivation; GTP-Binding Proteins/chemistry/*genetics/metabolism/physiology; *Genes, Insect; Hot Temperature; Insecticide Resistance; Longevity/genetics; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutation; Oxidative Stress; Paraquat/pharmacology; Receptors, Cell Surface/chemistry/*genetics/metabolism/physiology; *Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction|
Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.) Volume: 282 Issue: 5390 Pages: 943-6 Date: Oct. 30, 1998 PMID: 9794765 |
Lin YJ, Seroude L, Benzer S (1998) Extended life-span and stress resistance in the Drosophila mutant methuselah. Science (New York, N.Y.) 282: 943-6.
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