BKCa (Slo) Channel Regulates Mitochondrial Function and Lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

BK_Ca channels, originally discovered in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> as <i>slowpoke</i> (<i>slo</i>), are recognized for their roles in cellular and organ physiology. Pharmacological approaches implicated BK_Ca channels in cellular and organ protection possibly for their ability to modulate mitochondrial function. However, the direct role of BK_Ca channels in regulating mitochondrial structure and function is not deciphered. Here, we demonstrate that BK_Ca channels are present in fly mitochondria, and <i>slo</i> mutants show structural and functional defects in mitochondria. <i>slo</i> mutants display an increase in reactive oxygen species and the modulation of ROS affected their survival. We also found that the absence of BK_Ca channels reduced the lifespan of <i>Drosophila</i>, and overexpression of human BK_Ca channels in flies extends life span in males. Our study establishes the presence of BK_Ca channels in mitochondria of <i>Drosophila</i> and ascertains its novel physiological role in regulating mitochondrial structural and functional integrity, and lifespan.