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We studied lifespan (LS) of Drosophila melanogaster strains HA and BA. The first one was generated by long-term selection for low male sexual activity and features decreased LS as well as the changes in a relatively constant index--coefficient of LS variation. The BA strain was derived from the HA strain by reverse selection and has the mean LS and coefficient of LS variation similar to those of the normal strain D-32. Analysis of the death curves of the HA strain insects does not exclude existence of a subpopulation with the normal LS within these strain. The obtained data are discussed in the context of possible involvement of mobile element transposition in animal LS control.

In this study, we have examined the effect of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporated into DNA of Drosophila nerve cells after incubation of larvae in the analog-containing medium on the duration of lifespan and behavior (photoactivity) of adult flies. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporated into DNA decreases the lifespan of adult animals. In contrast to the control, the curves describing the probability of death become bimodal at higher doses of the analog (above 35 (g/ml). As the dose of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine decreases, photoactivity of the flies diminishes, and the distribution into fractions with different activity becomes broader. The data obtained provide evidence that the modification of DNA with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine drastically changes the expression of tissue-specific genes in nerve ganglia of Drosophila and at the same time diminishes the duration of insects lifespan. These observations suggest that genome of the nerve cells appears to be a probable initial substrate of Drosophila aging.

The influence of gamma-irradiation and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BUDR) on the life span and behaviour (in photoactivity test) of D. melanogaster was studied. It was found that gamma-irradiation resulted in decrease of life span. However the form of survival curves changed only under exposure to doses higher than 500 Gy. Treatment with BUDR distorted the form of survival curves and caused death of insects immediately after exclusion. It also caused abrupt decrease in photoactivity of insects, while irradiation even with very high doses did not affect this feature. It is proposed that initiating substrat in drosophila aging is DNA of nerve cells. The possible relationship between aging regularities and evolutional extinction of eucaryotic species is discussed.