Skip to main content
Log in

Age-Related Enzyme Activity in Different Genotypes of Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) in Drosophila Melanogaster

  • Published:
Biogerontology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ageing is a complex phenomenon with possibly a multitude of contributions from many genes. In our study, we tested the degree of contribution of alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) polymorphism (as specific enzyme activities) to ageing in Drosophila melanogaster. Our results indicate an overdominance of FS genotypes on ageing flies, with the two homozygotes, i.e., FF and SS, having significantly lower mean longevities. However, that kind of life-span–genotype relationship was not detected when the genotypes were observed for the immediate function of the Adhlocus, ADH enzyme activity in which mean ADH-FF activity was the highest as compared to those of ADH-FS and ADH-SS. This irrelevancy of the ADH enzyme function to ageing, with an obvious overdominance effect of Adh locus, is discussed considering Adh's known relation to other life history traits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Benyajati C, Wang N, Reddy A, Weinberg E and Sofer W (1980) Alcohol dehydrogenase in Drosophila: isolation and characterization of messenger RNA and cDNA clone. Nucleic Acids Res 8: 5649–5667

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozcuk AN (1981) Genetics of longevity in DrosophilaV. The specific and hybridized effects of rolled, sepia, ebony and eyeless autosomal mutants. Exp Gerontol 16: 415–427

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers GK (1988) The Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase gene-enzyme system. Advances in Genetics 25: 39–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Durusoy M, Diril N and Bozcuk AN (1995a) Age-related activity of catalase in different genotypes of Drosophila melanogaster. Exp Gerontol 30: 77–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Durusoy M, Diril N and Bozcuk AN (1995b) Age-related activity of glutathione S-transferase in three different genotypes of Drosophila melanogaster. Tr J Biology 19: 337–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasperi G, Kafedzopoulos D, Christoulidou A, Bouriotis V and Savacis C (1994) Isolation and partial characterization of two alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes from the medfly Ceratitis capitata. Insect Biochem Molec Bio 24 (1): 87–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Geer BW, Heinstra PWH and McKechnie SW (1993) The biological basis of ethanol tolerance in Drosophila. Comp Biochem Physiol 105B: 203–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerver JWM and van Delden W (1985) Development of tolerance to ethanol in relation to the alcohol dehydrogenase locus in Drosophila melanogaster. Heredity 55: 355–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreitman M (1983) Nucleotide polymorphism at the alcohol dehydrogenase locus of Drosophila melanogaster. Nature (London) 304: 412–417

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry OH, Rosenbrough NJ, Farr AL and Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with folin reagent. J Biol Chem 193: 265–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Maroni G (1993) An Atlas of Drosophila Genes. Oxford University Press, New York, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Oudman L, van Delden W, Kamping A and Bijlsma R (1991) Polymorphism at Adh and aGpdh loci in Drosophila melanogaster: effects of rearing temperature on developmental rate, body weight, and some biochemical parameters. Heredity 67: 103–115

    Google Scholar 

  • Oudman L, van Delden W, Kamping A and Bijlsma R (1992) Interaction between the Adh and aGpdh loci in Drosophila melanogaster: adult survival at high temperature. Heredity 68: 289–297

    Google Scholar 

  • Pieragostini E, Sangiorgi S and Cavicchi S (1979) Adh, system and genetic background: interaction with wing length in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetica 50: 201–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal RR and Rohlf FJ (1995) Biometry. WH Freeman and Company, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Delden W (1982) The alcohol dehydrogenase polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster: selection at an enzyme locus. Evol Biol 15: 187–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Delden W and Kamping A (1980) The alcohol dehydrogenase polymorphism in populations of Drosophila melanogaster. IV. Survival at high temperature. Genetica 51: 179–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Delden W and Kamping A (1997) Worldwide latitudinal clines for the alcohol dehydrogenase polymorphism in Drosophila melanogaster: what is the unit of selection? In: Bijlsma R and Loeschke V (eds) Environmental Stress, Adaptation and Evolution, pp. 97–115. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel

    Google Scholar 

  • Winberg JO and McKinley-McKee JS (1994) Drosophila melanogaster alcohol dehydrogenase: product inhibition studies. Biochem J 301: 901–909

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwaan BJ (1999) The evolutionary genetics of ageing and longevity. Heredity 82: 589–597

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bozcuk, A., Sumer, S., Ozsoy, E. et al. Age-Related Enzyme Activity in Different Genotypes of Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) in Drosophila Melanogaster . Biogerontology 5, 243–247 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BGEN.0000038025.07744.75

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BGEN.0000038025.07744.75

Navigation