Modulating the Kynurenine pathway or sequestering toxic 3-hydroxykynurenine protects the retina from light-induced damage in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Tissue health is regulated by a myriad of exogenous or endogenous factors. Here we investigated the role of the conserved Kynurenine pathway (KP) in maintaining retinal homeostasis in the context of light stress in Drosophila melanogaster. cinnabar, cardinal and scarlet are fly genes that encode different steps in the KP. Along with white, these genes are known regulators of brown pigment (ommochrome) biosynthesis. Using white as a sensitized genetic background, we show that mutations in cinnabar, cardinal and scarlet differentially modulate light-induced retinal damage. Mass Spectrometric measurements of KP metabolites in flies with different genetic combinations support the notion that increased levels of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3OH-K) and Xanthurenic acid (XA) enhance retinal damage, where

SUBMITTER: Hebbar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10035932 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature