RNAi of the electron transport chain ATPsynβL in glutamate neurons protects against age-related intestinal barrier dysfunction.

Maintenance of the intestinal barrier and abundance of intestinal microbiota are important markers for physiological aging. Glutamate neuron-specific RNAi of the electron transport chain ATPsynβL gene has been demonstrated to extend life span and affect daytime sleep behaviors in Drosophila . We investigate the intestinal barrier in the ATPsynβL RNAi flies and notice a more intact intestinal barrier and fewer intestinal bacteria in late-stage adulthood. These results provide one possible explanation for the prolonged life span in the ATPsynβL RNAi flies.