Tag

Drosophila

All articles tagged with #drosophila

science1 day ago•5 min saved

Developmental State May Explain Why Brain Regions Are More Cancer-Prone

Researchers studied fruit flies to understand why brain cancers arise preferentially in certain regions. By editing brain-cell identity proteins around Chinmo, they showed that the same cancer-causing mutation leads to tumors only in some areas; reducing Chinmo halted growth where tumors would form, while increasing Chinmo caused tumors in previously unaffected regions. The findings imply tumor formation depends on cell environment and developmental state, not just the mutation, offering potential therapeutic angles—though humans lack Chinmo, analogous proteins may influence susceptibility.

via ScienceAlert|

#brain-cancer #chinmo #developmental-state

science17 days ago•4 min saved

Hypergravity Reshapes Fruit Fly Biology—with Lasting, Generational Effects

UC Riverside researchers exposed fruit flies to 4–13G using a centrifuge for 24 hours or across 10 generations, then returned them to normal 1G. The flies kept their startle-triggered geotaxis but showed markedly reduced spontaneous movement at higher gravity, likely due to energy conservation and shifts in lipid metabolism. After return to 1G, 4G-exposed flies became briefly hyperactive, while higher-G flies recovered slowly with lasting locomotor impairments; multigenerational exposure caused even greater, enduring deficits. The findings suggest gravity exposure can induce lasting physiological changes, potentially epigenetic, with implications for artificial gravity design and astronaut health during space travel.

via Universe Today|

#drosophila #energy-metabolism #epigenetics

science1 month ago•91 min saved

Neuronal lipid droplets coordinate whole-body energy balance with male-biased effects across species

The study shows neuronal lipid droplets (nLDs) exist in vivo in both flies and mice; their formation is regulated by triglyceride metabolism enzymes and LD-associated proteins. Modulating nLDs produces conserved, male-biased effects on whole-body energy homeostasis, particularly in neurons that link environmental cues to energy balance. Mechanistically, nLD-derived lipids supply fatty acids and phospholipids to support mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum function, highlighting a conserved role for nLDs in coordinating neuronal lipid supply and demand for healthy energy regulation.

via Nature|

#drosophila #energy-homeostasis #mice

biology3 months ago•75 min saved

Pre-ZGA 3D genome architecture emerges modularly in Drosophila embryos

Using Pico-C, a low-input Micro-C method, the study maps high-resolution 3D genome architecture across NC9–NC14 in early Drosophila embryos and reveals that chromatin loops and boundaries emerge in an ordered, modular fashion before major ZGA. Transcriptional elongation inhibition preserves some early loops but weakens promoter insulation, while sequence-based models show orthogonal motif-driven contributions to architecture. Co-depleting Zelda and GAF confirms locus-specific regulatory inputs, supporting a layered regulatory logic for genome establishment prior to ZGA.

via Nature|

#3d-genome #biology #chromatin-architecture

science3 months ago•6 min saved

Early Embryos Build a 3D Genome Scaffold Before Gene Activation

Researchers using the Pico-C method show that a modular 3D genome scaffold forms in Drosophila embryos before zygotic genome activation, suggesting pre‑existing DNA organization guides timely gene activation and development; disrupting this architecture can trigger immune-like responses, highlighting its importance for human health as well as early-life biology.

via SciTechDaily|

#3d-genome-folding #drosophila #embryonic-development

biology8 months ago•26 min saved

Presynaptic Inhibition of Leg Proprioception in Drosophila

This study investigates how selective presynaptic inhibition modulates leg proprioception in behaving Drosophila, utilizing calcium imaging, connectomics, and computational modeling to understand neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor control.

via Nature|

#behavior #biology #drosophila

biology8 months ago•69 min saved

Mechanical Forces and Evolutionary Strategies in Tissue Development

The study reveals that the cephalic furrow (CF) in fly gastrulation is an evolutionary innovation in Cyclorrhapha that functions as a mechanical sink to prevent tissue collision and buckling during head and trunk expansion. In non-cyclorrhaphan flies, alternative strategies like out-of-plane cell division mitigate mechanical stress, highlighting divergent evolutionary adaptations to ensure robust morphogenesis. Loss of CF leads to tissue buckling and developmental defects, emphasizing its mechanical and developmental importance.

via Nature|

#biology #drosophila #evolution

biology8 months ago•67 min saved

Mechanical Forces and Evolutionary Strategies in Gastrulation and Organ Development

The study reveals that the patterned invagination of the cephalic furrow in Drosophila prevents mechanical instability during gastrulation by absorbing compressive stresses caused by mitotic domains and germ band extension, with its formation regulated by specific gene expression patterns, and suggests that mechanical challenges have driven the evolution of this morphogenetic feature in dipteran flies.

via Nature|

#biology #drosophila #evolution

science1 year ago•5 min saved

Study Reveals DNA Regions Shared by Multiple Gene Switches

A study by the University of Bonn and LMU Munich reveals that gene enhancers, previously thought to be modular and isolated, can share extensive DNA regions, influencing multiple gene switches. This discovery, particularly in the regulation of the yellow gene in Drosophila, suggests a more complex genomic architecture than previously understood, with significant implications for evolutionary biology. The findings indicate that mutations in enhancers could have broader effects, potentially facilitating evolutionary changes by altering gene activity in specific tissues without affecting the gene itself.

via Phys.org|

#dna #drosophila #enhancers

health-and-science2 years ago•1 min saved

"Vitamin D: A Promising Anti-Aging Supplement, According to Latest Research"

New research demonstrates the anti-aging effects of vitamin D and its receptor in Drosophila, shedding light on their role in stem cell health and longevity. The study reveals that vitamin D treatment reduces age- and oxidative stress-induced increases in stem cell proliferation and centrosome amplification, providing direct evidence of the anti-aging role of the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor pathway. This research offers valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying healthy aging in Drosophila and suggests potential benefits for human health.

via SciTechDaily|

#anti-aging #drosophila #health-and-science

biology2 years ago•76 min saved

"Unraveling Chemosensory Evolution in Diverse Fruit Flies"

A study on six ecologically diverse species of Drosophila explores the evolution of chemosensory tissues and cells. The research reveals that while most genes have changed in expression across multiple tissues, these changes occurred at different times in the past, suggesting independent evolutionary changes in gene regulation and cellular abundances. The study also highlights the low rates of divergence in sensory transcriptomes, with a few exceptions, and the cell-type specificity of gene expression changes across species. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular basis of chemosensory evolution and its implications for understanding how nervous systems adapt to varying ecologies.

via Nature.com|

#biology #chemosensory-evolution #drosophila

medical-research2 years ago•23 min saved

Unveiling the Role of a Novel Hormone in Tumour-Induced Kidney Dysfunction

Researchers have discovered a novel antidiuretic hormone that regulates tumor-induced renal dysfunction. Using Drosophila as a model, the study found that tumors release a hormone called Ion Transport Peptide (ITP), which inhibits fluid secretion in the Malpighian tubules, leading to impaired kidney function. The researchers also identified the receptor for ITP and demonstrated its role in regulating water homeostasis. This study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying tumor-induced renal dysfunction and may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies.

via Nature.com|

#antidiuretic-hormone #drosophila #medical-research

neuroscience2 years ago•81 min saved

The Role of Dopamine in Reward Seeking and Risk Assessment

Researchers have discovered that specific dopaminergic neurons in the brains of fruit flies play a crucial role in driving reward-seeking behavior, even in the face of adverse consequences. The study found that activation of these neurons, known as β′2 and γ4 DANs, led the flies to persistently seek rewards, such as sucrose, despite being subjected to electric shocks. The findings shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying reward-seeking behavior and could have implications for understanding substance use disorders in humans.

via Nature.com|

#adverse-consequences #dopaminergic-systems #drosophila

science3 years ago•8 min saved

Uncovering the Mechanisms of Circadian Rhythms

Researchers have revealed the structure of cryptochrome-timeless, a protein complex that plays a key role in the circadian clock. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind the timing of the body's internal clock and could lead to new treatments for sleep disorders. The researchers used a combination of X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure of the complex, which is found in both humans and fruit flies.

via Nature.com|

#circadian-clock #cryptochrome #drosophila

neuroscience3 years ago•4 min saved

The Importance of Eye Color Genes for Retinal Health

The Kynurenine pathway, responsible for eye pigment formation, also plays a crucial role in maintaining retinal health under stress conditions, according to a study by researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics. The study used Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to unravel the role of individual metabolites in retinal health and found that the balance between toxic and protective metabolites, such as 3-hydroxykynurenine and Kynurenic Acid, respectively, influences the degree of retinal degeneration. The researchers suggest that therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative conditions should take into account the ratio and location of Kynurenine pathway metabolites.

via Neuroscience News|

#drosophila #genetics #kynurenine-pathway