EXPRESSION PATTERN

Diagnostic radiation (X-rays, CT scans) generates reactive oxygen species and DNA damage, affecting apoptotic gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster, a model for cellular responses. Effector caspases DrICE and Dcp-1 regulate apoptosis under stress. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acute (X-ray) and chronic (CT room) radiation over 7 and 14 days on DrICE and Dcp-1 mRNA expression in Drosophila. The flies were divided into 4 groups; X ray exposure (7days), X ray exposure (14days), CT room exposure (7days), CT room exposure (14days). DrICE and Dcp-1 mRNAs expression were determined using Polymerase chain reaction. The data obtained was analyzed using graphpad prism (version 8.02, California, USA). The result showed that DrICE mRNA increased significantly (p<0.001) in all exposure groups (X-ray/CT room, 7/14 days) when compared to the control (66.16± 0.31), but decreased (p<0.01) in CT room at 14 days (75.84± 2.17) when compared to X-ray (14 days) (83.29± 1.14) and CT room (7 days)(86.18±1.84). Dcp-1 mRNA showed no significant change (p>0.05) with X-ray (7/14 days) when compared to the control, but decreased (p<0.01) in CT room at 14 days ( 57.16±2.37) when compared to control (71.29±1.13) and X-ray 7 and 14 days ( 74.51±2.66 and 69.06±1.72) with a milder drop (p<0.05) at 7 days(61.48±1.15). In conclusion, DrICE upregulation shifts to suppression under chronic CT exposure, indicating an adaptive response. Dcp-1 stability under X-ray contrasts with CT suppression, showing dose-rate effects. This suggests radiation modulates apoptosis, with potential for pest control, needing further protein studies.