The steroid hormone receptor EcR finely modulates Drosophila lifespan during adulthood in a sex-specific manner

The steroid hormone ecdysone influences Drosophila lifespan. Longevity is extended in mutants deficient for ecdysone synthesis or mutants of the ecdysone receptor (EcR). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we conditionally inactivated EcR by RNA interference or expression of domi...

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Published in:Mechanisms of ageing and development 2009-08, Vol.130 (8), p.547-552
Main Authors: Tricoire, Hervé, Battisti, Valentine, Trannoy, Séverine, Lasbleiz, Christelle, Pret, Anne-Marie, Monnier, Véronique
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Animal biology
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing
Drosophila
Drosophila - physiology
Ecdysone
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gene Expression Regulation
Genes, Dominant
Life Sciences
Longevity
Male
Mifepristone - pharmacology
Models, Biological
Nuclear receptor
Receptors, Steroid - metabolism
Receptors, Steroid - physiology
RNA Interference
Sex Factors
Signal Transduction
Steroid
Steroids - metabolism
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
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Summary:The steroid hormone ecdysone influences Drosophila lifespan. Longevity is extended in mutants deficient for ecdysone synthesis or mutants of the ecdysone receptor (EcR). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we conditionally inactivated EcR by RNA interference or expression of dominant negative forms, using the RU486 inducible system. A mild ubiquitous inactivation of EcR during adulthood was sufficient to slow the aging of male flies, whereas a stronger EcR inactivation decreased longevity. Surprisingly, ubiquitous inactivation of EcR strongly decreased female lifespan. This deleterious effect was suppressed in sterile ovo D1 mutant females, suggesting that EcR represses a negative signal for lifespan produced in ovaries. These results reveal a complex adult and sex-specific control of lifespan by steroid signalling in Drosophila.
ISSN:0047-6374
1872-6216
DOI:10.1016/j.mad.2009.05.004