title: P DNA element movement in somatic cells reduces lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster: evidence in support of the somatic mutation theory of aging.
abstract: Evidence is presented in support of the hypothesis that P DNA element movement in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster induces genetic damage that significantly reduces lifespan. The lifespan of D. melanogaster males was significantly reduced by the somatic movement of a single P element in the presence of P[ry+ delta 2-3](99B) transposase. In addition, the P[ry+ SalI](89D) repressor of P[ry+ delta 2-3](99B) somatic transposase was observed to reduce the effect of P element movement on lifespan. Finally, the frequency of somatic-cell chromosome breakage was significantly increased in neuroblasts of males with somatically active P elements. These results show that lifespan in D. melanogaster is decreased with increased somatic genetic damage from DNA-element movement. Although this conclusion does not confirm that transposable element movement is a cause of natural senescence, this conclusion is clear evidence in support of a close relationship between somatic genetic damage and aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioligical Sciences, Bowling Green State University, OH 43403, USA.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Woodruff
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Nikitin
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; C092281:PSI protein, Drosophila; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins