Transcriptional changes in the guts of Drosophila malanogaster upon tyramine treatment

Here, we use Drosophila melanogaster to test if adrenergic-like signalling can promote longevity by manipulating tyramine (TA) or octopamine (OA), the invertebrate equivalents of adrenergic hormones. Increased neuronal synthesis of TA boosts health and longevity in both sexes, whereas OA is marginally beneficial in males.

Orally administered TA or OA extend female or male lifespan, respectively. Increased activation of the ß-adrenergic-like signalling in the gut, by manipulating a ß-adrenergic-like receptor, PKA or CrebB, is sufficient to delay female ageing. Transcriptional profiling reveals that CrebB links the ß-adrenergic pathway to longevity-promoting processes in the gut where its function is required for the beneficial effects of TA feeding in females.