Temperature variation effects on AOX flies development

Abstract

Temperature is one of the main factors influencing insect metabolism: low temperatures slow it down, consequently producing less ATP e increasing developmental time, whereas high temperatures accelerate metabolism, raising ATP production and reducing developmental time. Notably, alternative oxidases (AOX) of plants are involved directly in the temperature increase (thermogenesis) associated with floral development. Evaluating the effects of temperature in AOX flies will be of great importance for the understanding of this enzyme's role in mitochondrial function, and will answer the questions: is it possible that AOX expression alter the internal temperature of transgenic fruitflies, to the point of also altering metabolism and mitochondrial ATP production? (AU)