The Effects of the 4EBP P-Element in Drosophila melanogaster

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of my project is to examine the effects of the 4EBP P-Element in Drosophila melanogaster. I believe that the P-Element will increase lifespan when expressed and have an affect on the fly's metabolic rate. Methods/Materials I set up two parts to my project, a starvation resistance lifespan, and a series of metabolic readings on flies under dietary restriction. The lifespan involved starving the flies on a diet containing no nutrition, which made stressful living conditions for the flies hoping to induce 4EBP. My metabolic assays involved testing flies with and without the P-Element, and examining their change in protein and triglyceride levels under high and low protein diets by using a microplate reader. Results In the starvation resistance lifespan, I discovered that flies with the P-Element lived longer than flies without it, and that the flies with the P-Element lived longer on low protein. Also, the females lived longer with the 4EBP than males. In my metabolic assays, I discovered that flies with the P-Element had lower levels of protein on both diets, which meant that the P-Element inhibited translation. Also, flies under high yeast diets had lower triglyceride levels than flies under a low yeast diet. Conclusions/Discussion In conclusion, my hypothesis was correct. 4EBP proved to be induced in times of stress and it did increase the lifespans of the flies throughout the experimental process. A very interesting thing that came up was that females were more affected, which could have to do with the inhibition of fertility. Last, I can conclude that the flies with the P-Element had lower protein levels than flies without the P-Element under both a low yeast and high yeast, which means that 4EBP does indeed inhibit translation.

Competition history

• CSEF 2007 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology · Entry S0414

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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