Scientists identify a siesta-suppressing gene that stops animals from taking a nap in cold weather 

Researchers have identified a gene in fruit flies that suppresses the urge to take afternoon naps.

The ‘daywake’ gene overrides the fly’s in-built desire to take an afternoon nap to avoid expending energy during the hottest part of the day.

Siestas can be beneficial for animals and humans as it saves energy, but in cooler weather it is more productive to stay awake. 

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Researchers have identified a gene in fruit flies that suppresses the insect’s urge to take naps in the afternoon. The ‘daywake’ gene suppresses the fly’s urge to take an afternoon nap to avoid expending energy during the hottest part of the day (stock)

In the case of the fruit fly, the gene activates to suppress the flies’ tendency to take a daytime nap – allowing them to spend additional time seeking food or mates. 

The discovery sheds light on the biology that helps many creatures balance the benefits of a good nap against getting important activities done during the day. 

Scientists examined the genome of the fruit fly and discovered a gene that is activated when temperatures are cooler.

The researchers, from Rutgers’ Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, found the ‘daywake’ gene activates when temperatures are cool, which suppresses the flies’ need to take a nap.

‘This gene contributes to behavioural flexibility, or the ability to hide from the noontime sun when weather is hot but engage in activities good for survival when the weather is cool,’ said Isaac Edery, a professor at Rutgers’, who led the study. 

Siestas can be beneficial for animals and humans as it saves energy but in cooler weather, catnapping allows them to get more done. In humans, short naps help with memory and learning, but too much daytime sleep is associated with diabetes, Parkinson’s and other diseases (stock)

‘That probably helped these flies expand beyond their ancestral home in equatorial Africa to successfully colonise temperate zones around the world.’  

Many animals take midday siestas that are more intense on warm days, probably an evolved protection against exposure to the hot noontime sun, the study said.   

Scientists have never before observed interaction between overlapping gene sequences, according to Professor Edery.

The genetic mechanism discovery could help scientists uncover other types of gene expression strategies. 

In humans, short naps help with memory and learning, but too much daytime sleep is associated with diabetes, Parkinson’s and other diseases. 

‘Although the daywake gene is not present in humans, our finding reinforces the idea that nighttime sleep and daytime siesta are governed by distinct mechanisms and serve separate functions for health and survival,’ Professor Edery said. 

The study was published in the journal Current Biology.