The proposed research will probe into the requirement of manganese-superoxide dismutase [MnSOD] in aging and tissue damages thereof through some unique mutant models in Drosophila. These mutant models will be used to (1) investigate the effect of overexpression of MnSOD in different tissues in a directed fashion, testing the hypothesis that overexpression of MnSOD in specific tissue or cell types extends the life span by offering increased protection against oxidative damage; (2) investigate the effect of loss of MnSOD function in specific tissue or cell types, testing the hypothesis that loss of MnSOD function is associated with increased oxidative stress causing accelerated tissue damages; (3) investigate the effects of missense mutations in MnSOD gene, testing the hypothesis that like in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) patients, altered MnSOD activity could cause neuropathology and degenerative tissue damages.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15)
Project #
1R15AG017846-01
Application #
6084008
Study Section
Geriatrics and Rehabilitation Medicine (GRM)
Program Officer
Finkelstein, David B
Project Start
2000-09-01
Project End
2004-08-31
Budget Start
2000-09-01
Budget End
2004-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$127,564
Indirect Cost
Name
Howard University
Department
Biology
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
056282296
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
United States
Zip Code
20059
Duttaroy, Atanu; Paul, Anirban; Kundu, Mukta et al. (2003) A Sod2 null mutation confers severely reduced adult life span in Drosophila. Genetics 165:2295-9
Paul, Anirban; Duttaroy, Atanu (2003) Genomic regions responsible for manganese superoxide dismutase regulation in Drosophila melanogaster. Aging Cell 2:223-31