Diet-Dependent Uric Acid Pathologies in Drosophila (IMAGE)

Buck Institute for Research on Aging

Diet-Dependent Uric Acid Pathologies in Drosophila

Caption

This image shows a micro-CT scan of Drosophila melanogaster with diminished expression of urate oxidase reducing the enzymatic degradation of the aggregation-prone purine intermediate uric acid. Radiolucent structures are shown in red. Radiopaque objects are shown in yellow and demonstrate the formation of uric acid concretions, i.e. events of ectopic biomineralization resembling human uric acid kidney stones. The reduced expression of urate oxidase in Drosophila resulted in elevated uric acid levels, accumulation of concretions in the excretory system, and shortening of lifespan when reared on diets containing high levels of yeast extract. The image replacing the letter "D" in the word uric acid represents a concretion dissected from the same fly.

Credit

Sven Lang, PhD

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