Drosophila melanogaster longevity genes and pathways predicted by bioinformatics
Humanity has always sought to achieve longevity. It has been shown that genetic alterations can affect lifespan. Drosophila has a large number of anti-longevity and pro-longevity gene. It is difficult to screen for the functionally important genes in this vast array of genes. The present study aimed to investigate critical genes and pathways that affect longevity in Drosophila. In this study, the Human Ageing Genomic Resources database (HAGR), which contains 168 genes related to longevity in D.melanogaster was used. To identify the key genes and pathways, we combined network clustering analysis with network topological analysis and pathway analysis. Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRTPCR) was used to confirm the expression of genes within representative pathways, and predicted genes from the gene-gene network. Our results showed that six pathways could be linked to longevity. These include the longevity-regulating path, the peroxisome route, the FOXO signaling pathway, and the AGE RAGE-signalling in diabetic complications. The results also revealed that the expression of six genes from representative pathways including Cat, Ry S6k Sod Tor Tsc1, Tsc1, Tsc1, Jra, Kay and Rheb, as well as the predicted genes Jra and Kay showed significant changes with ageing D.melanogaster strains w1118. Our results showed that six pathways, six key genes, and three inter-related genes may play a pivotal role in regulating the longevity of D. melanogaster strain w1118. These results will provide not only new insights into mechanisms of longevity, but also novel ideas for network based approaches to longevity research.
Source:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00438-019-01589-1
