Tissue Specific Expression Of Ndi-1 in Drosophila Show No Increase In Stress Resistance

Mitochondrial activity is involved in both stress resistance and longevity, however its precise role remains poorly understood.  In humans and fruit flies, complex I of the electron transport chain in mitochondria is comprised of 45 genes, whereas, in yeast, complex I consists of a single gene, Ndi-1. Increased expression of Ndi-1 has been linked to longer lifespan, but it’s not known if the gene expression also contributes to stress resistance.  In this study, we examined if the impact of Ndi-1 expression within a specific tissue, would provide increased resistance to extrinsic stressors.  We generated flies that expressed Ndi-1 in a tissue specific manner using a driver (which binds to the Ndi-1 transgene, ensuring expression), and determined the adult expression pattern of the driver using green fluorescent protein. Through wet starvation, hyperoxia, hypoxia, and heat stress, we found that flies expressing Ndi-1 showed no increase in resistance to various stresses. While the Ndi-1 flies reacted similarly to stressful environments as the control flies, in high heat environments, the flies expressing Ndi-1 were slightly more sensitive; having an approximately 15% reduction in lifespan relative to control flies. Overall, tissue specific expression of Ndi-1 showed no increased stress resistance.  Whether the tissue specific expression of Ndi-1 can still extend lifespan is currently being determined.