Radiation hormesis and radioadaptive response in Drosophila melanogaster flies with different genetic backgrounds: the role of cellular stress-resistance mechanisms

Biogerontology. 2011 Jun;12(3):253-63. doi: 10.1007/s10522-011-9320-0. Epub 2011 Jan 14.

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to investigate the role of cellular stress-resistance mechanisms in the low-dose irradiation effects on Drosophila melanogaster lifespan. In males and females with the wild type Canton-S genotype the chronic low dose irradiation (40 cGy) induced the hormetic effect and radiation adaptive response to acute irradiation (30 Gy). The hormesis and radioadaptive responses were observed in flies with mutations in autophagy genes (atg7, atg8a) but absent in flies with mutations in FOXO, ATM, ATR, and p53 homologues. The hormetic effect was revealed in Sirt2 mutant males but not in females. On the contrary, the females but not males of JNK/+ mutant strain showed adaptive response. The obtained results demonstrate the essential role of FOXO, SIRT1, JNK, ATM, ATR, and p53 genes in hormesis and radiation adaptive response of the whole organism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological*
  • Animals
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / radiation effects*
  • Female
  • Longevity / radiation effects
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Stress, Physiological*