Sertraline is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is well-known for its use in treating various psychiatric disorders. It is certainly involved in serotonin regulation. However, its impact may also extend beyond that and into the expression of genes tied to neurobiology. Recent studies have also investigated the role of sertraline in other pathologies including cancer pathways and neurochemistry stress response.
In a new study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the impact of sertraline on fruit flies was investigated. The fruit fly larvae were submitted to a single exposure of sertraline during their third instar larval stage. Amazingly, the effects of a single 24 hour exposure in early-life stage caused notable changes that were observable in the grown adult flies. These changed included significant effects on alternative splicing of genes that deal with neuronal function and structure.
The most remarkable finding of this study was the lasting impact of the single pharmacological exposure early in life. The single exposure was sufficient to modulate gene expression through the lifetime of the fly. In this case, the impact of sertraline seemed to be positive. It enhanced the autophagy machinery, resulting in a persistent neuroprotective effect.
Further studies using vertebrate models are needed to further assess the full potential of sertraline to modulate key genes involved in neuronal function.
Santos-Cruz L, Campos-Aguilar M, Castañeda-Partida L, et al. Impact of larval sertraline exposure on alternative splicing in neural tissue of adult Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 10;26(2):563. PMID: 39859278