Genetics of Locomotor Senescence and Life Span in Drosophila

描述(申请人提供)：衰老是身体状况的恶化，最终导致死亡。虽然在模式生物中影响寿命的基因和遗传途径知道得很多，但到目前为止，人们对影响与年龄相关的功能衰退的分子遗传学机制或这些衰退如何与寿命调节相互作用的了解很少。本研究将以果蝇--黑腹果蝇为研究对象，探讨果蝇运动衰老和寿命调节的遗传学基础。利用一系列新分离的突变体，我们将评估三个基因在特定年龄的运动功能和寿命中的作用。此外，我们将确定这些基因是否在影响寿命和/或运动衰老的已知途径中发挥作用。这个项目将让我们对衰老的遗传基础有重要的新见解。与公共卫生相关：随着人们年龄的增长，他们会出现一些健康问题，包括行动能力降低和死亡风险增加。该项目中的研究将帮助医生识别和治疗与年龄相关的健康问题的风险患者。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Aging is the deterioration of physical status that culminates in death. While much is known about genes and genetic pathways that impact life span in model organisms, to date little is understood about the molecular-genetic mechanisms that influence age-related functional declines or how these declines interact with regulation of life span. The studies in this project will use the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate the genetic basis for locomotor senescence and life span regulation. Using a series of newly isolated mutants, we will assess the role of three genes in age-specific locomotor function and life span. Additionally, we will determine whether these genes function within known pathways that influence life span and/or locomotor senescence. This project will give us important new insights into the genetic basis for aging. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: As people age they develop a number of health problems that include reduced ability to move and increased risk of dying. The studies in this project will help physicians identify and treat patients at risk for age-related health problems.