Research ReportGenetic and pharmacological manipulations that alter metabolism suppress seizure-like activity in Drosophila

There is increasing evidence that alterations in metabolism can affect seizure susceptibility in a wide range of organisms. In order to investigate the link between metabolism and seizures, we took advantage of a group of Drosophila mutants, the Bang-sensitive (BS) paralytics, which are 3-10 times more susceptible to seizure-like activity (SLA) than wild type flies following a variety of stimuli including mechanical shock. To alter metabolism, we introduced the atsugari (atu) mutation into three of the BS mutants, easily shocked (eas), bang senseless (bss), and technical knockout (tko). The atu mutants, which exhibit reduced expression of the Drosophila ortholog of dystroglycan gene, have previously been shown to have a higher metabolic rate than wild type flies. Following mechanical shock, all three BS;atu double mutants displayed a reduction in SLA and the eas;atu and tko;atu double mutants recovered from the shock quicker than the respective single mutant BS flies. In addition, the eas;atu and tko;atu flies displayed higher levels of metabolism as compared to the single mutant BS flies. To further study the correlation between metabolism and seizure susceptibility, the three BS strains were fed a sulfonylurea drug (tolbutamide) known to both increase heamolymph glucose concentrations and stimulate lipid metabolism in flies. Following mechanical shock, the eas and tko mutants fed tolbutamide displayed less SLA and recovered quicker than unfed flies. While the bss mutants fed tolbutamide did not display a reduction in SLA, they did recover quicker than unfed controls. These data indicate that the upregulation of metabolism can have a protective effect against seizure susceptibility, a result that suggests new avenues for possible drug development.

► We examined the link between metabolic alterations and seizure susceptibility. ► A mutation in the dystroglycan gene (atsugari) suppresses seizure-like activity. ► The sulfonylurea drug tolbutamide suppresses seizure-like activity. ► Both the dystroglycan mutation and the drug tolbutamide increase metabolism. ► We have identified a link between increased metabolism and seizure suppression.