Perturbations in dopamine synthesis lead to discrete physiological effects and impact oxidative stress response in Drosophila

• Decreased synthesis of dopamine (DA) results in shortened lifespan in Drosophila.
• Circadian locomotor activity rhythm is unaffected by DA levels.
• Decreased DA levels reduce locomotion while enhanced DA elevate negative geotaxis.
• Decreased DA synthesis increases susceptibility to oxidative stress.
• Elevated DA levels confer resistance to oxidative stress.

The impact of mutations in four essential genes involved in dopamine (DA) synthesis and transport on longevity, motor behavior, and resistance to oxidative stress was monitored in Drosophila melanogaster. The fly lines used for this study were: (i) a loss of function mutation in Catecholamines up (Catsup26), which is a negative regulator of the rate limiting enzyme for DA synthesis, (ii) a mutant for the gene pale (ple2) that encodes for the rate limiting enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), (iii) a mutant for the gene Punch (PuZ22) that encodes guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase, required for TH activity, and (iv) a mutant in the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMATΔ14), which is required for packaging of DA as vesicles inside DA neurons. Median lifespans of ple2, PuZ22 and VMATΔ14 mutants were significantly decreased compared to Catsup26 and wild type controls that did not significantly differ between each other. Catsup26 flies survived longer when exposed to hydrogen peroxide (80 μM) or paraquat (10 mM) compared to ple2, PuZ22 or VMATΔ14 and controls. These flies also exhibited significantly higher negative geotaxis activity compared to ple2, PuZ22, VMATΔ14 and controls. All mutant flies demonstrated rhythmic circadian locomotor activity in general, albeit Catsup26 and VMATΔ14 flies had slightly weaker rhythms. Expression analysis of some key antioxidant genes revealed that glutathione S-transferase Omega-1 (GSTO1) expression was significantly up-regulated in all DA synthesis pathway mutants and especially in Catsup26 and VMATΔ14 flies at both mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, we hypothesize that DA could directly influence GSTO1 transcription and thus play a significant role in the regulation of response to oxidative stress. Additionally, perturbations in DA synthesis do not appear to have a significant impact on circadian locomotor activity rhythms per se, but do have an influence on general locomotor activity levels.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide