Will fruit flies ‘shape’ not only our bodies but also our future? Exploration of how Drosphila melangaster fruit flies are models used for examining obesity variation involved in mammals. Maria De Luca et al, carried out studies on D. Melangaster fruit flies, to discover the genes involved in the mammalian adipocyte differentiation and fat storage, by examining the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of Triacylglcerol (TAG) storage. Using both QTL genetic mapping techniques on 68 recombinant inbred lines, interval mapping and Bayesian epistatic methods, the mapping location of QTLs affecting TAG storage where found. In addition, quantitative deficiency mapping were carried out to identify the candidate genes affecting the obesity trait within one of the QTLs identified to the second chromosome. The quantitative complementation tests were then used to finely map the QTLs found.
As a result, the variations of TAG storage in fruit flies were controlled by different genetic mechanisms and different sets of QTLs in male and female flies. A total of 7-8 QTLs were found to effect TAG storage. Two QTLs affecting TAG storage in both sexes and two QTLs were male-specific epistatic interaction. Also, closely linked QTLs on chromosome 2 were found to have a female-specific variation in TAG storage.
By Natasha Ferber
41237706
Reference:
De Luca, M., Yi, N., Allison, D.B., Leips, J and Ruden, D.M. (2005) “Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci Affecting Variation in Drosophila Triacylglycerol Storage”, Obesity Research, 13: 1596-1605
