Reserpine prolongs lifespan but compromises locomotion and heat-stress resilience in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: Pharmacological modulation of monoaminergic signaling, a process targeted by many therapeutic and recreational drugs via receptors, transporters, degradation enzymes, or reuptake mechanisms, is emerging as a promising aging intervention and as a strategy to treat various maladies. Monoamines (including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) are central to the regulation of mood, movement, sleep, memory, and systemic physiology. Here, we demonstrate that Reserpine, chronic inhibitor of the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), robustly extends lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster in a dose-dependent manner. However, reserpine-treated flies also exhibit reduced locomotor activity and impaired survival under acute heat-stress, indicating a context-dependent trade-off between lifespan exten

SUBMITTER: Tiwary V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12858949 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature