ABSTRACT
There is a connection between nutrient inputs, energy-sensing pathways, lifespan variation and aging. Despite the role of metabolic enzymes in energy homeostasis and their metabolites as nutrient signals, little is known about how their gene expression impacts lifespan. In this report, we use P-element mutagenesis in Drosophila to study the effect on lifespan of reductions in expression of seven central metabolic enzymes, and contrast the effects on normal diet and dietary restriction. The major observation is that for five of seven genes, the reduction of gene expression extends lifespan on one or both diets. Two genes are involved in redox balance, and we observe that lower activity genotypes significantly extend lifespan. The hexokinases also show extension of lifespan with reduced gene activity. Since both affect the ATP/ADP ratio, this connects with the role of AMP-activated protein kinase as an energy sensor in regulating lifespan and mediating caloric restriction. These genes possess significant expression variation in natural populations, and our experimental genotypes span this level of natural activity variation. Our studies link the readout of energy state with the perturbation of the genes of central metabolism and demonstrate their effect on lifespan.
Subject(s)
Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Drosophila melanogaster/metabolism , Enzymes/metabolism , Food Deprivation , Longevity/genetics , Aging/genetics , Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/genetics , Animals , Drosophila Proteins/genetics , Drosophila Proteins/metabolism , Gene Expression , Mutagenesis, Site-Directed , Oxidation-ReductionABSTRACT
Mirror neuron system (MNS) represents one of the most important discoveries in the area of neuropsychology of past decades. More than 500 papers have been published in this area (PubMed), and the major functions of MNS include action understanding, imitation, empathy, all of which are critical for an individual to be social. Recent studies suggested that MNS can modulate emotion states possibly through the empathy mechanism. Here we propose that MNS-based therapies provide a non-invasive approach in treatments to emotional disorders that were observed in autism patients, post-stroke patients with depression as well as other mood dysregulation conditions.
Subject(s)
Affective Symptoms/therapy , Emotions/physiology , Neurons/physiology , Autistic Disorder/therapy , Empathy , Humans , Models, Theoretical , Psychiatry/methods , Psychotherapy/methods , Risk Factors , Stress Disorders, Traumatic/therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
It is speculated that certain listeners' misattribution of anger in the music of avant garde jazz saxophonists could be explained by the activity of mirror neurons. There is a neurological basis for the human tendency to imitate what is perceived in another person. This may lead to an inference that whatever comparable activity would be required to achieve a similar condition in the imitator is the condition being experienced by the person being imitated.
