title: Life extension in Drosophila by feeding a drug.
abstract: We report that feeding Drosophila throughout adulthood with 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA) can significantly increase lifespan, without diminution of locomotor vigor, resistance to stress, or reproductive ability. Treatment for a limited period, either early or late in adult life, is also effective. Flies fed PBA show a global increase in histone acetylation as well as a dramatically altered pattern of gene expression, including induction or repression of numerous genes. The delay in aging may result from the altered physiological state.
authors.affiliation: Neurogenetics Branch, MSC1250, 10/3B12, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Hyung-Lyun
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Seymour
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benzer
authors.forename: Kyung-Tai
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Min
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D017344:Genes, Insect / Q000187:drug effects; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010654:Phenylbutyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D010654:Phenylbutyrates; C075773:4-phenylbutyric acid