Drosophila alpha-1,4-glycosyltransferase (alpha-4GT1) inhibits reaper-mediated apoptosis in the eye.
In a genetic screen, alpha-4GT1 has been identified as a potential enhancer of Hairless-mediated cell death in the eye of Drosophila. alpha-4GT1 encodes an alpha-1,4-glycosyltransferase, known to catalyze the fifth step in a series of ceramide glycosylation events. As reported for other enzymes involved in the glycosylation of ceramide, alpha-4GT1 ... is strongly expressed during oogenesis and is deposited maternally in the egg. Moreover, the protein is enriched at cell membranes. Unexpectedly, overexpression of alpha-4GT1 does not enhance Hairless-mediated cell death; instead, Hairless enhancement is caused by an allele of Scutoid present on the alpha-4GT1 chromosome. Interestingly, the downregulation of alpha-4GT1 during eye development amplifies cell death induction by the pro-apoptotic gene reaper. Accordingly, overexpression of alpha-4GT1 represses reaper-induced cell death. Thus, alpha-4GT1 appears to be an inhibitor of apoptosis, as has previously been observed for other ceramide glycosylating enzymes, suggesting that it likewise contributes to ceramide anchoring in the membrane.
Mesh Terms:
Animals, Animals, Genetically Modified, Apoptosis, Crosses, Genetic, Down-Regulation, Drosophila, Drosophila Proteins, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Epistasis, Genetic, Eye, Gene Expression, Glycosyltransferases, Models, Biological, Ocular Physiological Phenomena, RNA, Small Interfering
Animals, Animals, Genetically Modified, Apoptosis, Crosses, Genetic, Down-Regulation, Drosophila, Drosophila Proteins, Embryo, Nonmammalian, Epistasis, Genetic, Eye, Gene Expression, Glycosyltransferases, Models, Biological, Ocular Physiological Phenomena, RNA, Small Interfering
Cell Tissue Res.
Date: Apr. 01, 2009
PubMed ID: 19252929
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