Key result
Genetic differences account for ~25% of basal heart rate variance in Drosophila pre-pupae.
Why the study?
Genetic variation contributing to heart rate differences in Drosophila melanogaster and its molecular basis were not fully characterized.
p-value: p=0.0001
May model heritable heart rate variation via potassium channels; leaves open translation to human long-QT genetics.
Heart rate in pre-pupae of Drosophila melanogaster is shown to vary over a wide range from 2.5 to 3.7 beats per second. Quantitative genetic analysis of a sample of 11 highly inbred lines indicates that approaching one-quarter of the total variance in natural populations can be attributed to genetic differences between flies. A hypomorphic allele of the potassium channel gene ether-a-gogo, which is homologous to a human long-QT syndrome susceptibility gene (HERG), has a heart rate at the low end of the wild-type range, but this effect can be suppressed in certain wild-type genetic backgrounds. This study provides a baseline for investigation of pharmacological and other physiological influences on heart rate in the model organism, and implies that quantitative genetic dissection will provide insight into the molecular basis for variation in normal and arrhythmic heart function.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Greg Gibson (1999) studied Genetic variation of heart rate (Drosophila melanogaster) (n=440). Genetic variation (Inbred lines and eag mutant alleles) vs. Different genetic backgrounds was evaluated on Basal heart rate in beats per second (Hz) (p=0.0001). In Drosophila melanogaster pre-pupae, heart rate varies widely from 2.5 to 3.7 Hz, with approximately one-quarter of the total phenotypic variance attributable to genetic differences.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: