Journal article

Publication year: 2004

Pages: 782-786

Journal: Current Biology

Volume number: 14

Issue number: 9

ISSN: 0960-9822

eISSN: 1879-0445

Open access status: Bronze

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2004.04.036

Publisher: Cell Press

Abstract: 
A growing body of evidence suggests that oxidative stress is a common underlying mechanism in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Creutzfeld-Jakob and Parkinson's diseases [1-4]. Despite the increasing number of reports finding a causal relation between oxidative stress and neurodegeneration, little is known about the genetic elements that confer protection against the deleterious effects of oxidation in neurons. We have isolated and characterized the Drosophila melanogaster gene sniffer, whose function is essential for preventing age-related neurodegeneration. In addition, we demonstrate that oxidative stress is a direct cause of neurodegeneration in the Drosophila central nervous system and that reduction of sniffer activity leads to neuronal cell death. The overexpression of the gene confers neuronal protection against oxygen-induced apoptosis, increases resistance of flies to experimental normobaric hyperoxia, and improves general locomotor fitness. Sniffer belongs to the family of short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) enzymes and exhibits carbonyl reductase activity. This is the first in vivo evidence of the direct and important implication of this enzyme as a neuroprotective agent in the cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress.

Harvard Citation style: Botella, J., Ulschmid, J., Gruenewald, C., Moehle, C., Kretzschmar, D., Becker, K., et al. (2004) The Drosophila carbonyl reductase sniffer prevents oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration, Current Biology, 14(9), pp. 782-786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2004.04.036

APA Citation style: Botella, J., Ulschmid, J., Gruenewald, C., Moehle, C., Kretzschmar, D., Becker, K., & Schneuwly, S. (2004). The Drosophila carbonyl reductase sniffer prevents oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration. Current Biology. 14(9), 782-786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2004.04.036