Effects of dtopors on soma and germ line aging in male Drosophila
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Christopher Hylton (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- John Tomkiel
Abstract: Nuclei are given support and structure by a network of proteins and filaments called the nuclear lamina. Mutations in many genes encoding lamina components result in human diseases known as the laminopathies. Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) occurs from a rare mutation in a major lamina component. Patients exhibit aspects of rapid aging including artherosclerosis, osteoporosis and sclerderma. HGPS is also associated with a nuclear dysmorphology in which multiple protrusions alter the normal shape of the nucleus, possibly causing the rapid aging phenotypes. A mutation of the D. melanogaster gene dtopors phenocopies this nuclear dysmorphology. The dTopors protein is a component of the lamina in all cell types examined, but unlike in HPGS, visible nuclear defects are limited to male germline cells. Here, I investigated both the germ line and soma of dtopors male flies to determine if rapid aging occurs. Results indicate that dtopors males lose the ability to produce progeny at a younger age than wildtype. Testes size decreases at a younger age, but is not due to decreased stem cell numbers. Somatic cells also appeared to be affected, as lifespan was shortened, and an enhanced age-related decrease in negative geotaxis was observed in dtopors males. Tests of effects on an age-related decrease in innate immunity yielded ambiguous results. Taken together, the results suggest that acceleration of some aspects of aging may be induced by mutations in dtopors, and that study of dTopors in Drosophila could yield insight into similar accelerated aging processes that coincide with changes in nuclear structure.
Effects of dtopors on soma and germ line aging in male Drosophila
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Created on 8/1/2013
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2013
- Keywords
- Drosophila, Laminopathies, Nuclear Lamina, Premature Aging, Progeria, Topors
- Subjects
- Drosophila melanogaster $x Genetics
- Progeria