Activation of transposable elements during aging and neuronal decline in Drosophila

Nat Neurosci. 2013 May;16(5):529-31. doi: 10.1038/nn.3368. Epub 2013 Apr 7.

Abstract

We found that several transposable elements were highly active in Drosophila brain during normal aging. In addition, we found that mutations in Drosophila Argonaute 2 (Ago2) resulted in exacerbated transposon expression in the brain, progressive and age-dependent memory impairment, and shortened lifespan. These findings suggest that transposon activation may contribute to age-dependent loss of neuronal function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Argonaute Proteins / genetics*
  • Avoidance Learning / physiology
  • Brain
  • Conditioning, Classical / physiology
  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics*
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila / physiology*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Longevity / genetics*
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Neurons / physiology*

Substances

  • AGO2 protein, Drosophila
  • Argonaute Proteins
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins