Earlier this year, scientists published an article in a Russian scientific journal describing an exciting and new discovery in the field of genetics. The scientists discovered the ability to predict the lifespan of the fruit fly Drosophila, from a number of genes that control processes of the nervous system. Lifespan is a quantitative trait that for any one population of organisms displays a large amount of variability and has been extremely difficult to accurately predict.
It has been predicted that genes involved in the nervous system of an organism also play a part in controlling longevity. The experiment aimed to locate and search for genes that are responsible in controlling the longevity trait in the fruit fly Drosophila. The locations of these genes were confirmed using complementation tests that are able to accurately predict the position of the genes.
The results of the experiment confirmed a number of genes that are responsible for controlling some functions relating to the nervous system and are also involved in longevity and lifespan control. Recently it has been discovered that the genetic basis for the control of longevity are similar for evolutionary distant organisms such as humans and yeast. The results of the experiment found that some genes related with the nervous system also control the longevity and lifespan of the organism. As the genetic basis for human longevity control is not so distant for humans this makes way for further studies involving the role of genes in the lifespan of humans.
By Lisa Rigby
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Reference: Roshina, N.V., Pasyukova, E.G., 2007, “ Genes Regulating the Development and Functioning of the nervous system determine life span in Drosophila melanogaster” Russian Journal of Genetics, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 356-362 Web Address: http://www.springerlink.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/content/v858t87w48l23220/fulltext.pdf
Topic: Complex Trait Genetics
Mackay, T. F. C., 2004, “Complementing Complexity”, Nature Genetics, Vol. 36, No. 11, pp 1145-1147
