Mutations induced by X-ray irradiation and certain chemical reagents that alter the life span of Drosophila melanogaster

Survivorship curves are constructed and the life span parameters in mutant Drosophila melanogaster lines obtained as a result of induction by X-ray irradiation (3000 rad) as well as the combined action of X-ray irradiation and certain chemical agents are analyzed. It is shown that most of these mutant lines are characterized by a reduction in vitality and a shortening of life span. By means of blot hybridization in the Sausern modification it is shown that insertion-excision processes in the genes white and cut may be among the factors responsible for rapid dying off of the imago. A series of neurodegenerative mutants is obtained from the effect of ethylnitrosourea on the basis of the Oregon wild type line. In these mutants vitality is reduced and the shortened life span indicators are correlated with the time when a change appears in the brain structures.