Genetics of Locomotor Senescence and Life Span in Drosophila

描述（由申请人提供）：衰老是身体状况的恶化，最终导致死亡。虽然对影响模式生物寿命的基因和遗传途径了解很多，但迄今为止，对影响年龄相关功能衰退的分子遗传机制或这些衰退如何与寿命调节相互作用知之甚少。本项目的研究将使用果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）来研究运动衰老和寿命调节的遗传基础。使用一系列新分离的突变体，我们将评估三个基因在年龄特异性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起作用。这个项目将为我们了解衰老的遗传基础提供重要的新见解。公共卫生相关性：随着人们年龄的增长，他们会出现一些健康问题，包括活动能力下降和死亡风险增加。该项目的研究将帮助医生识别和治疗有年龄相关健康问题风险的患者。

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.