Zhao, Y., Wang, Y., Tulehalede, A., Meng, Z., Xu, L., Bai, H., Sha, J., Xie, W., Geng, J. (2025). Drosophila melanogaster: A Model Organism in Muscular Dystrophy Studies. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 26(4): 1459.
FlyBase ID
FBrf0261740
Publication Type
Review
Abstract
Muscular dystrophy is a group of complicated, genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. Due to the intricate nature, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying muscular dystrophy presents significant challenges. Drosophila, as a versatile and genetically tractable model organism, offers substantial advantages in muscular dystrophy research. In the present review, we summarize the application of Drosophila in studying various types of muscular dystrophy, highlighting the insights gained through genetic manipulations, disease modeling, and the exploration of molecular pathways. Drosophila serves as a powerful system for understanding disease progression, exploring the roles of key genes in muscle function and pathology, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. The review highlights the significant role of Drosophila in advancing our understanding of muscular dystrophy.
