title: High-quality life extension by the enzyme peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase.
abstract: Cumulative oxidative damages to cell constituents are considered to contribute to aging and age-related diseases. The enzyme peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) catalyzes the repair of oxidized methionine in proteins by reducing methionine sulfoxide back to methionine. However, whether MSRA plays a role in the aging process is poorly understood. Here we report that overexpression of the msrA gene predominantly in the nervous system markedly extends the lifespan of the fruit fly Drosophila. The MSRA transgenic animals are more resistant to paraquat-induced oxidative stress, and the onset of senescence-induced decline in the general activity level and reproductive capacity is delayed markedly. The results suggest that oxidative damage is an important determinant of lifespan, and MSRA may be important in increasing the lifespan in other organisms including humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Hongyu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Xiang Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Mai-Lei
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mei-Ling A
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Joiner
authors.forename: Guangrong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brot
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weissbach
authors.forename: Stefan H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iverson
authors.forename: Chun-Fang
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Toshinori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoshi
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Joiner
authors.forename: Stephen H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Heinemann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D051150:Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D010455:Peptides
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D051150:Methionine Sulfoxide Reductases; C027219:methionine sulfoxide reductase