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. 1989 Apr;86(8):2761–2765. doi: 10.1073/pnas.86.8.2761

Null mutation of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase in Drosophila confers hypersensitivity to paraquat and reduced longevity.

J P Phillips 1, S D Campbell 1, D Michaud 1, M Charbonneau 1, A J Hilliker 1
PMCID: PMC286998  PMID: 2539600

Abstract

The role of copper/zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (cSOD; superoxide:superoxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.15.1.1) in metabolic defense against O2 toxicity in Drosophila is examined through the properties of a mutant strain carrying a cSOD-null mutation, cSODn108. Homozygotes are viable as larvae, which indicates that cSOD is not essential for cell viability per se. cSODn108 confers recessive sensitivity to the superoxide anion (O2-)-generator paraquat and to the transition metal compound CuSO4, which indicates that the cSOD-null condition in fact leads to impaired O2- metabolism. The primary biological consequences of the reduced O2- dismutation capacity of cSODn108 Drosophila are realized in the adult as infertility and reduction in life-span. We conclude that the infertility and reduced life-span of cSODn108 adults arise as a consequence of the reduced capacity of embryos, larvae, and pupae to adequately protect developing preimaginal cells from O2- -initiated cytotoxic damage.

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Selected References

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