Authors: Mourikis P; Hurlbut GD; Artavanis-Tsakonas S
Abstract: Deregulation of energy metabolism by external interventions or mutations in metabolic genes can extend lifespan in a wide range of species. We describe mutations in Drosophila melanogaster that confer resistance to oxidative stress and display a longevity phenotype. These phenotypes are associated with molecular lesions in a hitherto uncharacterized gene we named Enigma. We show that Enigma encodes a mitochondrial protein with homology to enzymes of the beta-oxidation of fatty acids and that mutations in this locus affect lipid homeostasis. Our analysis provides further support to the notion that lipid metabolism may play a central role in metazoan lifespan regulation.
Keywords: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Alleles; Animals; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Drosophila Proteins/metabolism/*physiology; Drosophila melanogaster; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Homozygote; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/*physiology; LIM Domain Proteins; Lipids/chemistry; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Mitochondria/*metabolism; Mitochondrial Proteins/metabolism/*physiology; Models, Genetic; Mutation; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; *Oxidative Stress; Oxygen/metabolism; Paraquat/pharmacology; Phenotype; RNA Interference; Subcellular Fractions; Time Factors; Triglycerides/metabolism|
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Volume: 103 Issue: 5 Pages: 1307-12 Date: Jan. 26, 2006 PMID: 16434470 |
Mourikis P, Hurlbut GD, Artavanis-Tsakonas S (2006) Enigma, a mitochondrial protein affecting lifespan and oxidative stress response in Drosophila. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103: 1307-12.
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