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Drosophila melanogaster larvae detect low doses of UVC radiation as manifested by a writhing response
Author(s) -
Baden Howard P.,
Kollias Nikiforos,
Anderson R. Rox,
Hopkins Theodore,
Raftery Laurel
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6327(1996)32:2<187::aid-arch3>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - drosophila melanogaster , biology , larva , drosophila (subgenus) , melanogaster , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , genetics , gene
Exposure of insects and higher orders of animals to UVC radiation has been shown to result in toxicity with a delayed expression. We have observed an immediate writhing response in slowly wandering third instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster exposed to UVC radiation at doses that were not lethal. UVB and UVA radiation had no effect. Mutants for the visual and sensory systems appeared to respond normally, but CO 2 anesthesia resulted in reversible inhibition, ebony and silver mutants, which affect different pathways in catecholamine metabolism, showed an absent to reduced response. Using UVC lasers, we were able to demonstrate a response in different regions of the larval body. Furthermore, a 193 nm laser that penetrates only 2–5 μm was able to induce a response but unable to kill the larvae. These results suggest a photochemical reaction occurs in the cuticle which produces free radicals that stimulate the nerves and muscle which are present immediately below the epidermis. Possible targets for the UVC radiation are catecholic compounds secreted and processed into the cuticle of third instar larvae just prior to pupariation whose primary function is to crosslink the protein and carbohydrate components. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.