A genetic screen in Drosophila reveals novel cytoprotective functions of the autophagy-lysosome pathway.

ABSTRACT: The highly conserved autophagy-lysosome pathway is the primary mechanism for breakdown and recycling of macromolecular and organellar cargo in the eukaryotic cell. Autophagy has recently been implicated in protection against cancer, neurodegeneration, and infection, and interest is increasing in additional roles of autophagy in human health, disease, and aging. To search for novel cytoprotective features of this pathway, we carried out a genetic mosaic screen for mutations causing increased lysosomal and/or autophagic activity in the Drosophila melanogaster larval fat body. By combining Drosophila genetics with live-cell imaging of the fluorescent dye LysoTracker Red and fixed-cell imaging of autophagy-specific fluorescent protein markers, the screen was designed to identify essential meta

SUBMITTER: Arsham AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2698153 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature