Effects of adenosine receptor overexpression and silencing in neurons and glial cells on lifespan, fitness, and sleep of Drosophila melanogaster

A single adenosine receptor gene (dAdoR) has been detected in Drosophila melanogaster. However, its function in different cell types of the nervous system is mostly unknown. Therefore, we overexpressed or silenced the dAdoR gene in eye photoreceptors, all neurons, or glial cells and examined the fitness of flies, the amount and daily pattern of sleep, and the influence of dAdoR silencing on Bruchpilot (BRP) presynaptic protein. Furthermore, we examined the dAdoR and brp gene expression in young and old flies. We found that a higher level of dAdoR in the retina photoreceptors, all neurons, and glial cells negatively influenced the survival rate and lifespan of male and female Drosophila in a cell-dependent manner and to a different extent depending on the age of the flies. In old flies, expression of both dAdoR and brp was higher than in young ones. An excess of dAdoR in neurons improved climbing in older individuals. It also influenced sleep by lengthening nighttime sleep and siesta. In turn, silencing of dAdoR decreased the lifespan of flies, although it increased the survival rate of young flies. It hindered the climbing of older males and females, but did not change sleep. Silencing also affected the daily pattern of BRP abundance, especially when dAdoR expression was decreased in glial cells. The obtained results indicate the role of adenosine and dAdoR in the regulation of fitness in flies that is based on communication between neurons and glial cells, and the effect of glial cells on synapses.

Automated summary

A single adenosine receptor gene (dAdoR) in Drosophila melanogaster plays a role in the regulation of fitness through communication between neurons and glial cells. Overexpression or silencing of dAdoR in different cell types affects the survival rate, lifespan, climbing ability, and sleep patterns of the flies, depending on the age. Higher dAdoR levels in retina photoreceptors, neurons, and glial cells negatively influence survival and lifespan, while excess dAdoR in neurons improves climbing ability in older flies. Silencing of dAdoR decreases lifespan but increases survival rate in young flies. Silencing also affects the daily pattern of the presynaptic protein BRP, particularly when dAdoR expression is reduced in glial cells.