Drosophila tagged posts

This image, captured with a high-powered confocal laser microscope, shows pain-sensing neurons in the skin of a larval fruit fly. Credit: Stephanie E. Mauthner

Indiana Uni researchers have that found a suite of genes in both fruit flies and humans – including one dubbed “smoke alarm” – plays a role in nerve sensitivity. The study could help lead to new drug targets in pain management. “Our study is the first to thoroughly assess the function of a large set of genes expressed at high levels in nociceptive neurons, the nerves responsible for the sensation of pain in humans,” Tracey said. “It represents a significant step forward in the field of nociception and pain research.”

A total of 36 genes were identified as having a role in either hypersensitivity or lack of sensation to stimuli, 20 o...

Using Drosophila (the fruit fly) as a model organism, the research team had identified a single nucleotide mutation in the mitochondrial DNA sequence which encodes one of the core energy producing genes.

“This mutation made males sterile but remarkably the ill effects were observed only in males; females who harbour this mutation maintain their fertility. This very same mutation that causes male infertility results in them living longer than flies that don’t have this mutation. However, while remaining fertile, females that carry this mutation have shorter lives,” Ms Camus said.
Co-author Dr Ted Morrow, University of Sussex, said that this mutation is not the only one located within the mitochondria to affect longevity.

Human mitochondrial DNA.

Dr Damian Dowling suggested the study repres...