Transgenerational Effects of Maternal Zinc Deficiency on Zinc Transporters in Drosophila melanogaster

• Published in: Biological trace element research 2024-11, Vol.202 (11), p.5276-5287
• Main Authors: Sanusi, Kamaldeen Olalekan, Abubakar, Murtala Bello, Ibrahim, Kasimu Ghandi, Imam, Mustapha Umar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Carrier Proteins - genetics; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Drosophila melanogaster; Drosophila melanogaster - genetics; Drosophila melanogaster - metabolism; Drosophila Proteins - deficiency; Drosophila Proteins - genetics; Drosophila Proteins - metabolism; Eclosion; Egg laying; Eggs; Ethylenediamine; Female; Females; Fruit flies; Gender; Gene expression; Homeostasis; Insects; Life Sciences; Male; Males; Micronutrients; Nutrient availability; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrition; Offspring; Oncology; Regulatory mechanisms (biology); Reproduction; Zinc; Zinc - deficiency; Zinc - metabolism; Zinc transporter
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04071-1

Maternal nutrition, including the availability of micronutrients such as zinc, influences the health of the offspring. Using Drosophila melanogaster , we studied the impact of zinc deficiency on development and reproduction, as well as the effects of maternal zinc status on the offspring’s expression of zinc transporters across F1 to F3 generations. Zinc deficiency was induced by adding N,N,N′,N′-Tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (TPEN) to the diet on which the eggs representing the F0 generation flies were laid. Then, virgin F0 females were mated with control males to produce F1, and subsequently thereafter to generate F2 and F3. Offspring from F1 to F3 were analyzed for body zinc status and zinc transporter mRNA levels. We found that zinc deficiency significantly ( p