Expression of Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa under the control of Scer\GAL4^da.G32 does not affect the expression or assembly of the endogenous respiratory chain machinery. In contrast to control flies, mitochondria from Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa-expressing flies support a substantial rotenone-insensitive substrate oxidation. Expression of Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa in fly mitochondria leads to a 30% increase in glutamate/malate-stimulated (complex-I-specific) respiration, while complex II (succinate-stimulated)-specific respiration is unaffected by Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa expression. These flies also exhibit a 28% increse in NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) enzymatic activity and a 2.6 fold increase in rotenone-insensitive NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production is unaffected. Expression of Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa under the control of Scer\GAL4^da.G32 confers a 24% increase in ATP levels and a 16% increase in metabolic rate compared to controls.

Ubiquitous induction of Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa during both development and adulthood using Scer\GAL4^{αTub84B.Switch.PK} has no robust positive effects on longevity in male or female flies.

Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa expression in adipose tissue under the control of Scer\GAL4^Switch1.106 results in shortened lifespan in both male and female flies.

Neuronal expression of Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa under the control of Scer\GAL4^{elav.Switch.PO} increases lifespan by up to 21% in females and by up to 7% in males. This neuronal expression under the control of Scer\GAL4^{elav.Switch.PO} leads to a 16% increase in complex I enzymatic activity in mitochondria isolated from heads and confers a 65% increase in rotenone-insensitive NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity and 28% increase in ATP levels in head tissue. This neuronal expression does not lead to an increase in CO[[2]] production in living flies, confers a 51% decrease in the level of reactive oxygen species in the brains of 45-day-old flies compared to non-induced controls. Finally, this neuronal expression results in an improved tolerance to rotenone and paraquat poisoning but does not improve their ability to withstand starvation.

RU486-induced expression of Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa in fly neurons (under the control of Scer\GAL4^{elav.Switch.PO} does not decrease fertility relative to uninduced cohorts and has no effect on physical activity levels.

Expression of Scer\NDI1^Scer\UAS.cBa in muscle cells under the control of Scer\GAL4^Mhc.PU has no major impact on longevity in male or female flies.