Conversion of the chill susceptible fruit fly larva (Drosophila melanogaster) to a freeze tolerant organism
This paper shows that mechanisms of freeze-tolerance studied by us previously in subarctic fly Chymomyza costata can be applied to a fruit fly of tropical origin with a weak innate capacity to tolerate even mild chilling. We found that surprisingly simple laboratory manipulations can change the chil...
| Published in: | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2012
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1119986109 http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0208325 |
| Summary: | This paper shows that mechanisms of freeze-tolerance studied by us previously in subarctic fly Chymomyza costata can be applied to a fruit fly of tropical origin with a weak innate capacity to tolerate even mild chilling. We found that surprisingly simple laboratory manipulations can change the chill susceptible insect to the freeze-tolerant one. Larvae of Drosophila melanogaster can then survive at subzero temperatures when approximately 50% of their body water turns to ice crystals. To achieve this goal, synergy of two fundamental prerequisites is required: (a) shutdown of larval development, including all the chill sensitive processes linked to it, by exposing larvae to low but above-lethal temperatures (quiescence), and (b) incorporating the free amino acid proline in tissues by feeding larvae a proline-augmented diet (cryopreservation). |
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