Mitochondrial superoxide radicals differentially affect muscle activity and neural function

Godenschwege, T., Forde, R., Davis, C. P., Paul, A., Beckwith, K., Duttaroy, A. (September 2009) Mitochondrial superoxide radicals differentially affect muscle activity and neural function. Genetics, 183 (1). pp. 175-184.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19546321
DOI: 10.1534/genetics.109.103515

Abstract

Cellular superoxide radicals (O2-) are mostly generated during mitochondrial oxygen metabolism. O2- serves as the raw material for many reactive oxygen species (ROS) members like H2O2 and OH.- radicals following its catalysis by superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes and also by autocatalysis (autodismutation) reactions. Mitochondrial ROS generation could have serious implications on degenerative diseases. In model systems overproduction of mitochondrial O2- resulting from the loss of SOD2 function leads to movement disorders and drastic reduction in life span in vertebrates and invertebrates alike. With the help of a mitochondrial SOD2 loss-of-function mutant, Sod2n283, we measured the sensitivity of muscles and neurons to ROS attack. Neural outputs from flight motor neurons and sensory neurons were unchanged in Sod2n283 and the entire neural circuitry between the giant fiber (GF) and the dorsal longitudinal muscles (DLM) showed no overt defect due to elevated ROS. Such insensitivity of neurons to mitochondrial superoxides was further established through neuronal expression of SOD2, which failed to improve survival or locomotive ability of Sod2n283. On the other hand, ultrastructural analysis of Sod2n283 muscles revealed fewer mitochondria and reduced muscle ATP production. By targeting the SOD2 expression to the muscle we demonstrate that the early mortality phenotype of Sod2 n283 can be ameliorated along with signs of improved mobility. In summary, muscles appear to be more sensitive to superoxide attack relative to the neurons and such overt phenotypes observed in SOD2-deficient animals can be directly attributed to the muscle. Copyright © 2009 by the Genetics Society of America.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organelles, types and functions > mitochondria
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > organelles, types and functions
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Huang lab
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: September 2009
Date Deposited: 20 Feb 2013 21:23
Last Modified: 20 Feb 2013 21:23
PMCID: PMC2746142
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/27415

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