The Induction of Drosophila Heat Shock Proteins by Plants That Can Extend Fly Lifespan

Abstract

The occurrence of most non-infectious diseases increases as we get older. There is now a growing research effort to understand aging, and try to slow it in order to treat a broad range of diseases. The underlying molecular mechanisms of aging are not clear, and there are many theories, each with varying degrees of support. A hallmark of aging is a decreased resistance to environmental stresses such as heat, and the lifespan of many organisms is inversely related to body temperature. One strategy for slowing the aging process is to screen for drugs and botanical extracts that can extend lifespan in model organisms such as the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Several botanical extracts have been recently identified to increase lifespan in flies. Surprisingly, there is no overall correlation between increased lifespan and an increased tolerance to heat. In one case, an extract that increased fly lifespan had a marked decreased in heat tolerance and heat shock protein expression. These results parallel those of the direct study of HSP expression and lifespan in fruit flies. In summary, there is no clear relationship between the induction of HSPs and extension of lifespan in fruit flies through the use of botanical extracts.