Formation of Lipofuscin in Drosophila after Exposure to Elevated Temperatures and UV Radiation

Abstract

Abstract—A spectroscopic study of the manner in which exposure to elevated temperature or intense UV radiation leads to the occurrence of lipofuscin debris in the bodies and heads of Drosophila melanogaster (vestigial) has been performed. A 1-h exposure to elevated temperature (48°C) or UV radiation led to the degradation of tryptophan residues in Drosophila bodies and heads, which is associated with the appearance of blue fluorescence of thermos-lipofuscin or photo-lipofuscin, respectively. This evidence suggests that tryptophan residues are actively involved in the formation of these lipofuscins. The thermal and photo destruction of the retinal of eye rhodopsin has also been observed.