Genetic analyses of aging processes in Drosophila.

Genetic investigations into the aging processes of Drosophila have a long history. Much of the earlier work attempted the analysis of longevity in already existing and (usually) short-lived strains and mutants, but was unsuccessful because there was no way of assuring that the genes involved actually affected the normal aging processes. Success was achieved only when procedures were devised to specifically select for mutants and/or strains affecting the normal aging processes. Recent work has shown that the life span may be genetically altered either via an acceleration of the normal aging rate or via the stage-specific lengthening of certain portions of the adult life span. A variety of evidence suggests that aging is best viewed as a genetically determined, environmentally modulated, event dependent process. The evidence underlying these observations is discussed, a possible genetic model is presented and future directions are suggested.