Regulation of Gene Expression Is Linked to Life Span in Adult Drosophila

Examination of gene expression and aging in adult Drosophila reveals that the expression of some genes is regulated by age-dependent mechanisms. Genetic mutations, Hyperkinetic(1) and Shaker(5), which are known to shorten life span through an acceleration of the aging process, were used to study the expression of an enhancer trap marked gene. The temporal pattern of expression for such a marked gene shows scaling with respect to life span; it is altered in direct proportion to the life expectancy of the adult animal. This demonstrates that expression of this gene is controlled through mechanisms coupled to physiologic as opposed to chronologic age. Results provide direct evidence for linkage between the regulation of gene expression and life span and establish a model system for the genetic analysis of aging.