The biochemical basis of adaptive differences in selectively bred populations of Drosophila melanogaster

摘要

Genetic and biochemical differences found in replicate populations of selected long-lived strains suggest that the physiological advantage is attributable to changes in the intermediary metabolism. The measurements of G6PD activity and glycogen content were higher in the long-lived populations relative to the short-lived populations, when these populations were reared at a high uncontrolled larval density. Comparing populations raised at high and low larval density, it was thought that G6PD activity and glycogen content would be lowered in the low developmental density populations. This was true for the glycogen content, however the activity of the enzyme, G6PD was increased. Both low and high larval density experiments provided insight into what is occurring at the biochemical level, and also a direct correlation between physiological responses and biochemical adaptations relative to aging.