 |
|
Searching for shut eye: Penn study identifies possible sleep gene
July 30, 2008PHILADELPHIA - While scientists and physicians know what happens if you don't get six to eight hours of shut-eye a night, investigators have long been puzzled about what controls the actual need for sleep. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine might have an answer, at least in fruit flies. In a recent study of fruit flies, they identified a gene that controls sleep.
"We spend -- or should spend -- a third of our lives sleeping," says Amita Sehgal, PhD, Professor of Neuroscience and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). "The idea that so much time is spent in sleep is intriguing. Also, sleep deprivation has serious health consequences and impairs cognitive function."
This study was published in the latest Science.
Fruit flies typically sleep 12 hours a day. Sehgal and her team studied 3,500 fruit flies and found mutants that survived on little to no sleep - one to two hours a day or none at all. The sleepless flies had a mutation of a gene that Sehgal and her team have named Sleepless. They believe the Sleepless gene encodes a protein that affects whether potassium ion channels in the brain stay open or closed. When the channels are open, the brain is connected and working - the fly is awake. When closed, the channel shuts down and the fly sleeps. The insomniac fruit flies had less of the Sleepless-produced protein.
The lack of sleep didn't come without consequences. The Sleepless fruit flies lived about half as long as fruit flies that did not carry the mutation. They also experience impaired coordination and restlessness in their few hours of sleep.
Sleep is regulated by two processes: circadian and homeostatic. Circadian regulation affects the timing of sleep, and the homeostatic mechanism affects the need for sleep. The Sleepless gene affects the homeostatic mechanism.
Sleep isn't just for humans - it's been observed in everything from flies to dogs to people, indicating that it's essential to life. Insufficient and poor-quality sleep is an increasing problem in industrialized nations. In the U.S. alone, about 70 million people suffer from chronic sleep problems, which reduce workplace productivity, affect quality of life and can even be lethal.
"In the long term, we hope that human equivalents of our gene will be isolated and will not only further our understanding of human sleep, but perhaps also serve as drug targets to promote sleep or treat insomnia," says Sehgal.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Fruit flies typically sleep 12 hours a day. Sehgal and her team studied 3,500 fruit flies and found mutants that survived on little to no sleep - one to two hours a day or none at all. The sleepless flies had a mutation of a gene that Sehgal and her team have named Sleepless. They believe the Sleepless gene encodes a protein that affects whether potassium ion channels in the brain stay open or closed. When the channels are open, the brain is connected and working - the fly is awake. When closed, the channel shuts down and the fly sleeps. The insomniac fruit flies had less of the Sleepless-produced protein.
The lack of sleep didn't come without consequences. The Sleepless fruit flies lived about half as long as fruit flies that did not carry the mutation. They also experience impaired coordination and restlessness in their few hours of sleep.
Sleep is regulated by two processes: circadian and homeostatic. Circadian regulation affects the timing of sleep, and the homeostatic mechanism affects the need for sleep. The Sleepless gene affects the homeostatic mechanism.
Sleep isn't just for humans - it's been observed in everything from flies to dogs to people, indicating that it's essential to life. Insufficient and poor-quality sleep is an increasing problem in industrialized nations. In the U.S. alone, about 70 million people suffer from chronic sleep problems, which reduce workplace productivity, affect quality of life and can even be lethal.
"In the long term, we hope that human equivalents of our gene will be isolated and will not only further our understanding of human sleep, but perhaps also serve as drug targets to promote sleep or treat insomnia," says Sehgal.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Fruit Flies Current Events and Fruit Flies News RSSSchizophrenia gene's role may be broader, more potent, than thought
UCSF scientists studying nerve cells in fruit flies have uncovered a new function for a gene whose human equivalent may play a critical role in schizophrenia.
Drunken fruit flies help scientists find potential drug target for alcoholism
A group of drunken fruit flies have helped researchers from North Carolina State and Boston universities identify entire networks of genes-also present in humans-that play a key role in alcohol drinking behavior.
Hydrogen Peroxide's Link to Living Cells
If a circadian rhythm is like an orchestra - the united expression of the rhythms of millions of cells - a common chemical may serve as the conductor, or at least as the baton.
UM Scientists Create Fruit Fly Model to Help Unravel Genetics of Human Diabetes
As rates of obesity, diabetes, and related disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the US in recent years, scientists are working from many angles to pinpoint the causes and contributing factors involved in this public health crisis.
Researchers discover mechanism that prevents two species from reproducing
Cornell researchers have discovered a genetic mechanism in fruit flies that prevents two closely related species from reproducing, a finding that offers clues to how species evolve.
Alcohol Tolerance Switch Found in Fruit Flies
Researchers at North Carolina State University have found a genetic "switch" in fruit flies that plays an important role in making flies more tolerant to alcohol.
Happy flies look for a place like home
A happy youth can influence where a fruit fly chooses to live as an adult, according to new research in the American Naturalist. The study, led by Judy Stamps from the University of California at Davis, provides new insight into how animals choose places to live and raise their young.
Suppressing a gene in mice prevents heart from aging, preserves its function
Scientists prevented age-related changes in the hearts of mice and preserved heart function by suppressing a form of the PI3K gene, in a study reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Scientists discover clues to what makes human muscle age
A study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has identified critical biochemical pathways linked to the aging of human muscle. By manipulating these pathways, the researchers were able to turn back the clock on old human muscle, restoring its ability to repair and rebuild itself.
Reactive oxygen in fruit flies acts as a cell signalling mechanism for immune response
For years, health conscious people have been taking antioxidants to reduce the levels of reactive oxygen in their blood and prevent the DNA damage done by free radicals, which are the result of oxidative stress. But could excessive use of antioxidants deplete our immune systems?
More Fruit Flies Current Events and Fruit Flies News Articles
 |
Terro 2500 Fruit Fly Trap by Terro .5 OZ, Terro Fruit Fly Trap, Vinegar Base Attractant Is Safe Around Children & Pets, Can Be Used Indoors Or Outdoors, Safe To Use Around Food. |
 |
SpringStar - Kitchen Fruit Fly Trap by SpringStar SpringStar's fruit fly trap is an excellent way to trap fruit flies that invade your home. There are no poisons or pesticides needed to accomplish this, just our unique and innovative trap. The patented lure attracts them into the trap with a combination of food grade scents. Once in the trap, they cannot get out. Safe to use around the house. |
 |
SpringStar - Glass Fruit Fly Trap by SpringStar A stylish way to trap pesky fruit flies without using pesticides or poisons. This glass jar will catch up to 300 fruit flies and is simple to use. Comes with bait and refill bait is available to keep using the trap as long as needed. |
 |
SpringStar - Fruit Fly Lures by SpringStar This fruit fly lure is designed for use in SpringStar fruit fly traps. The food grade ingredients are safe to use and very effective at attracting fruit flies. |
 |
Spanish Fly Passion Fruit 1oz by DOC JOHNSON ENTERPRISES Edible flavored potion that will get her into the mood for lovin. |
 |
Safer Brand 05140 The Pantry Pest Trap by Safer The Pantry Pest Trap uses a powerful attractant that has a strong effect on certain moths. It has been used in commercial pest control to trap a variety of moths. These include many different species: Indian meal moths, seed moths, raisin moths, almond moths, and tobacco moths. |
 |
Sterling NFT-D Disposable Fly Control TrapWith Attractant by Sterling Say goodbye to pesky flies with the RESCUE! Fly Control Trap. It s designed to encompass the behavioral characteristics on the fly. Just open add water and hang. |
 |
Replacement Fruit Fly Lure for the FFT1 by A.M. Leonard Replacement Fruit Fly Lure, set of three. |
 |
Contech Fruit Fly Trap- Pack of 2 by Contech Contech Fruit Fly Trap- Pack of 2 Eliminate pesky fruit flies from your kitchen. Catches three times more fruit flies! Fruit flies are a common nuisance in homes, restaurants and supermarkets - anywhere fruit, vegetables or garbage bins offer a tempting place for them to lay their eggs. But now you can keep your kitchen fruit-fly free, with Contechs Fruit Fly Trap. A natural attractant entices fruit flies into the decorative trap, where a disposable sticky pad ensures they dont escape. Safe, effective, and 100% pesticide free, the Contech Fruit Fly Trap is an easy and effective way to eliminate fruit flies from your kitchen, without using harmful sprays or chemicals. The Fruit Fly Trap Features: Non Toxic Pesticide Free Eliminates adult fruit flies without harmful chemicals -... |
 |
BioCare Non-Toxic Kitchen Fruit Fly Trap - 2 Complete Traps by BioCare Kitchen Fruit Fly Trap is designed to discreetly capture the fruit flies that contaminate fruits & vegetables in your home. These effective, non-toxic traps kill fruit flies so they cannot reproduce. Dead flies remain out of sight inside the decorative container, which is similar in appearance to a spice jar and blends in with kitchen or dining room decor. Lure gives off a mild, pleasant, fruity odor that attracts fruit flies into the disposable jar where they become trapped and drown. Use trap near fruit bowls, indoor garbage cans or those places where kitchen scraps are kept. Each disposable trap will work up to six weeks under normal conditions. Completely safe for use around food products. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |