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
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aging / genetics
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Aging / physiology*
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Analysis of Variance
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Argonaute Proteins / genetics*
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Avoidance Learning / physiology
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Brain
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Conditioning, Classical / physiology
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DNA Transposable Elements / genetics*
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Drosophila / genetics
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Drosophila / physiology*
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
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Longevity / genetics*
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Mutation / genetics*
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Neurons / physiology*
Substances
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AGO2 protein, Drosophila
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Argonaute Proteins
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DNA Transposable Elements
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Drosophila Proteins
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Green Fluorescent Proteins