INTRODUCTION: Sleep is essential in neuronal homeostasis and overall well-being of the organisms. One of the processes influenced by sleep is mitochondrial metabolism, which is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurons. Free radicals are created in mitochondria during cellular respiration in the electron transport chain. Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles whose functional state can be monitored using the genetically encoded reporter mitoTimer. Consequently, with the rising level of oxidative stress in the mitochondria, color gradually shifts from green to red fluorescence over time. 

AIM(S): The research aimed to investigate whether acute sleep deprivation affects oxidative stress levels in the sleep and memory center, called mushroom bodies of Drosophila melanogaster. 

METHOD(S): Using elav-GAL4 driver, mitoTimer was expressed pan-neuronally in Drosophila melanogaster. 4-day-old male flies were selected and subjected to mechanical sleep deprivation during the night. Control flies were maintained under standard conditions. Following brain dissection, confocal imaging of mushroom bodies (MB) was performed under identical acquisition settings. Both green and red fluorescence were quantified using ImageJ software, and oxidative stress was expressed as the red/green ratio for each brain. 

RESULTS: Sleep deprivation increases the red/green fluorescence ratio compared to the control group. 

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that acute sleep loss disrupts neuronal homeostasis in MB, which are critical areas responsible for learning and memory.