Markers of oxidative damage have been detected in brain tissue from patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. These findings implicate injury the process, but whether stress is a cause or consequence neurotoxicity remains unclear. We used Drosophila model human tauopathies to investigate role neurodegeneration. Genetic pharmacological manipulation antioxidant defense mechanisms significantly modified neurodegeneration our model, suggesting that plays causal...

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), like almost all nanoparticles, are potentially toxic beyond a certain concentration because the survival of organism is compromised due to scores pathophysiological abnormalities past that concentration. However, mechanism AgNP toxicity remains undetermined. Instead applying dose, we attempted monitor effects AgNPs at nonlethal on wild type Drosophila melanogaster by exposing them throughout their development. All adult flies raised in doped food showed up 50...

Abstract A null mutation for the Sod2 gene, Sod2n283, was obtained in Drosophila melanogaster. Homozygous (Sodn283/Sodn283) adult flies survive up to 24 hr following eclosion, a phenotype reminiscent of mice, where Sod2–/– progeny suffer neonatal lethality. Sodn283/+ heterozygotes are sensitive oxidative stress induced by paraquat treatment.

Among the many genes which have been suggested to be required by molecular mechanism dictating apoptotic death, some shown function as pacemakers pave way for cells either live or die. Previously we that immediate early gene expressions associated with G1 phase of cell cycle traverse are candidates this function. Here report well-known key regulator halting cycling at G1/S border, p21 protein known WAF1, Cip1, Pic1, Sdi1, is also involved in execution cells' suicidal death. up-regulation...

Viable mutants of the scalloped gene (sd) Drosophila melanogaster exhibit defects that can include gapping wing margin and ectopic bristle formation on wing. Lethal sd alleles characterized in present study now implicate this a genetic function essential for normal development. In order to further characterize developmental role gene, we have undertaken clone region where maps. A P[ry+] transposon insertion at 13F associated with sd[ry+2216] served as starting point 42-kb chromosomal walk....

Insulin and target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathways converge to maintain growth so a proportionate body form is attained. Insufficiency in either insulin or TOR results developmental defects due low ATP level. Spargel the Drosophila homolog PGC-1, which an omnipotent transcriptional coactivator mammals. Like its mammalian counterpart, Spargel/dPGC-1 recognized for role energy metabolism through mitochondrial biogenesis. An earlier study demonstrated that involved insulin-TOR signaling,...

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma Co-activator-1 (PGC-1) is a well-conserved protein among all chordates. Entire Drosophila species subgroup carries PGC-1 homolog in their genome called spargel/dPGC-1 showing very little divergence. Recent studies have reported that significant functional similarities are shared between vertebrate and invertebrate PGC-1's based on role mitochondrial functions biogenesis, gluconeogenesis, most likely transcription RNA processing. With the help...

The gene encoding manganese Superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) from Drosophila melanogaster has been isolated and its expression studied. In contrast to several mammalian MnSOD genes, the contains a single intron is transcribed into 0.8-kb transcript. Whole-mount in situ hybridization reveals extensive transcript accumulation ovarian nurse cells heavy maternal contribution early embryo. Larval imaginai discs are enriched with transcripts relative other larval tissues, further suggesting possible...

Thus far, a handful of genes have been shown to be related the wing maturation process in insects. A novel heme peroxidase enzyme known as curly suppressor (Cysu)(formerly CG5873), characterized this report because it is involved morphogenesis. Using bioinformatics tools we found that Cysu remarkably conserved genus Drosophila (>95%) well invertebrates (>70%), although its vertebrate orthologs show poor homology. Time-lapse imaging and histochemical analyses confirmed defective phenotype not...

Cellular superoxide radicals (O(2)(-)) are mostly generated during mitochondrial oxygen metabolism. O(2)(-) serves as the raw material for many reactive species (ROS) members like H(2)O(2) and OH(.-) following its catalysis by dismutase (SOD) enzymes also autocatalysis (autodismutation) reactions. Mitochondrial ROS generation could have serious implications on degenerative diseases. In model systems overproduction of resulting from loss SOD2 function leads to movement disorders drastic...

Definitive evidence on the impact of MnSOD/SOD2-deficiency and consequent effects high flux mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) pre-natal/pre-adult development has yet to be reported for either Drosophila or mice. Here we report that oocytes lacking maternal SOD2 protein develop into adults just like normal SOD2-containing suggesting SOD2-mediated protection against ROS is not essential oocyte viability. However, capacity SOD2-null larvae undergo successful metamorphosis negatively...

Abstract P element dysgenesis-associated male recombination in Drosophila was examined with a selective system focused upon section of the third chromosome divided into eight segments. Tests compared crossing over presence none, one and two doses P(delta 2-3)(99B), non-mobile transposase source, absence mobilizable target genome. In without target, significant occurred genomic regions physically separated from 2-3) site. Using rate doubled, 90% crossovers pericentric region. The distribution...

The nematode C. elegans has a contingent of five sod genes, one the largest among aerobic organisms. Earlier studies revealed each genes is capable making perfectly active SOD proteins in heterologous expression systems therefore none appears to be pseudogene. Yet deletion entire fails impose any effect on survival except these animals appear more sensitive extraneously applied oxidative stress conditions. We asked how many are actually enzymes through usage in-gel activity analysis and by...

Abstract P element dysgenesis associated male recombination in Drosophila was examined with a selective system focused upon 5% of the standard female genetic map divided into eight segments. We found no correspondence between mobilization events and males intervals monitored. defined two adjacent short molecular regions, one devoid other acting as "hot spot" for exchange absence supporting insertion excision activity. These data suggest that, even presence mobilizing elements, transposase...

Male recombination in P-M dysgenic crosses has been viewed as a reflection of P-element transposase interacting with P elements. However, recent studies suggest that the may catalyse double-stranded breaks chromosomal DNA. We have, therefore, introduced P(delta 2-3 ry+) (99B), single non-mobile source, into long-standing laboratory true M strains flanking lethal crossover selective system, thus facilitating examination rare male events an assay for activity. find rate presence this element...

Summary The transcription of manganese superoxide dismutase ( MnSOD ), expression which is essential for detoxification radicals from mitochondria, has been shown to be regulated in vitro by many factors and conditions including oxidative stress, cytokines, lipopolysaccharide, cytoplasmic myc c‐myc p53 tumour necrosis factors. Here we describe genomic regions Drosophila melanogaster with regulatory effects on the gene at an organism‐wide level. To understand integrated regulation screened...

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a heme peroxidase with microbicidal properties. MPO plays role in the host’s innate immunity by producing reactive oxygen species inside cell against foreign organisms. However, there little functional evidence linking missense mutations to human diseases. We utilized silico saturation mutagenesis generate and analyze effects of 10,811 potential on stability. Our results showed that ~71% destabilize MPO, ~8% stabilize protein. G402W, G402Y, G361W, G402F, G655Y would...

The function of spargel/dPGC-1 in Drosophila oogenesis has been unequivocally established. Here, we sought to assess whether Spargel protein or RNA is essential for developmentally competent eggs. trans-heterozygotic combination two spargel mutant alleles allowed us decrease expression very low levels. Using this model, now demonstrated the requirement eggshell patterning and embryonic development, which led establish that a maternal effect gene. Further examination Spargel's potential...