Drosophila lifespan enhancement by exogenous bacteria.
We researched the lifespan of Drosophila under axenic conditions compared with customary procedure. The experiments revealed that the presence of bacteria during the first week of adult life can enhance lifespan, despite unchanged food intake. Later in life, the presence of bacteria can reduce lifespan. Certain long-lived mutants react in different ways, indicating an interplay between bacteria and longevity-enhancing genes.
Brummel
Ted
T
Division of Biology 156-29, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Ching
Alisa
A
Seroude
Laurent
L
Simon
Anne F
AF
Benzer
Seymour
S
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004330:Drosophila / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D005856:Germ-Free Life / Q000502:physiology*; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents