Created fruit midges that can develop cocaine dependence

The Drosophila melanogasterthe most studied midinum in research on genetics and biology has just been engineered for develop dependence on cocaine. A team of scientists from the University of Utah in the United States has created fruit midges capable of self -administering cocaine when they have the opportunity. Hoping to understand something more about the genetic bases and on the biology of cocaine dependence in humans. The research results have been published on Journal of Neuroscience.

It is known that genetic aspects play an important role in determining the risk of developing dependence on abuse substances such as alcohol or cocaine, but the high number of genes possibly involved makes it difficult to understand how to use this information for therapeutic purposes. Drosophiles share with man 75% of the genes involved in the addiction mechanisms And for some characteristics, such as the short life cycle, the ease of breeding, the frequency of genetic mutations and the excellent knowledge of their DNA are ideal organisms for genetics experiments.

Moreover, the Drosophile they react to cocaine similarly to man. At low doses, with a certain level of euphoria and motor agitation (they start running in the circle); At very high doses, with a sort of paralyzing blackout.

To create Drosofile sensitive to the effects of cocaine, scientists had first overcome an obstacle. Initially, when they were exposed to sweetened water or to sweetened water with the addition of cocaine, the Drosofile opt for the liquid without drugs, even when they had already “tasted” the cocaine previously. Adversity is due to gustatory receptors Present on the tarsal segments (the legs) of the mosrins, which the insects inserted into the liquid even before it entered into contact with the mouth. The Drosophile are evolutionary lead to avoid vegetable toxinsand cocaine is in fact an intoxicating substance that originates from a plant (coca).

Further tests have shown that cocaine He was activating the sensitive receptors to the amaro on the legs of the Drosophile. When scientists silenced the genes responsible for these nerve structures, the little midges began to develop, within 16 hours only, A preference for water with dissolved cocaine Compared to simple water and sugar.

With the development of this model, researchers hope to be able to strongly accelerate the discoveries On the mechanisms of addiction: in fact it will be possible to study hundreds of potentially relevant genes in much shorter times, thanks to the ultra -praise life cycle (about 2 weeks) of these midges.

Once again, the Drosophile will help to better understand something that concerns human health.