Identification of proteins regulating lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster using genetic and proteomic approaches

Aging is a universal biological process that involves both environmental and genetic factors. Using single gene mutations and/or DNA microarray analyses several genes affecting lifespan have been identified in model organisms. The goal of my thesis was to use a proteomics based approach in Drosophila to identify proteins that were up-regulated during aging. I found that Turandots, a novel family of proteins previously implicated in stress response, were highly up-regulated during aging. To determine if Turandots play a direct role in aging/lifespan I used a combination of RT-PCR and western blot analysis to demonstrate that TurandotA was expressed in the nervous system. I also found that overexpression of TurandotA in the Drosophila nervous system increased lifespan and resistance to oxidative stress. Together, these studies demonstrate that proteomics can be used to identify genes implicated in organismal lifespan and demonstrate an essential role for Turandots in this process.