title: Drosophila melanogaster as an emerging translational model of human nephrolithiasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The limitations imposed by human clinical studies and mammalian models of nephrolithiasis have hampered the development of effective medical treatments and preventive measures for decades. The simple but elegant Drosophila melanogaster is emerging as a powerful translational model of human disease, including nephrolithiasis. It may provide important information essential to our understanding of stone formation. We present the current state of research using D. melanogaster as a model of human nephrolithiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We comprehensively reviewed the English language literature using PubMed®. When necessary, authoritative texts on relevant subtopics were consulted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The genetic composition, anatomical structure and physiological function of Drosophila malpighian tubules are remarkably similar to those of the human nephron. The direct effects of dietary manipulation, environmental alteration and genetic variation on stone formation can be observed and quantified in a matter of days. Several Drosophila models of human nephrolithiasis have been developed, including genetically linked and environmentally induced stones. A model of calcium oxalate stone formation is among the most recent fly models of human nephrolithiasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ability to readily manipulate and quantify stone formation in D. melanogaster models of human nephrolithiasis presents the urological community with a unique opportunity to increase our understanding of this enigmatic disease.
authors.affiliation: University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California. Electronic address: pilot2doc@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kapahi
authors.forename: Arnold J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Man Su
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Taku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirata
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Julian A T
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dow
authors.forename: Marshall L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stoller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D006801:Humans; D053040:Nephrolithiasis
keywords: ATPase; CT; Drosophila melanogaster; UAS; XDH; adenosine triphosphatase; animal; computerized tomography; disease models; kidney; malpighian tubules; nephrolithiasis; upstream activation sequence; xanthine dehydrogenase