Poly ADP-Ribose Metabolism in Drosophila Melanogaster

In addition to the crucial fiinaion of centrosomes in chromosome segregation and cytokinesis, centrosomes coordinate all microtubule-related cellular functions, including cell shape, polarity, adhesion and motility, as well as the intracellular transport and positioning of organelles by controlling the number, polarity and distribution of microtubules. Thus it was interesting to see the effects of gain or loss of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity in vivo. 

The observed neurodegeneration of the mutant fly indicates an indispensable role of PARC in the maintenance of neuronal (unction and cell survival. Interestingly, in a plant system, the period length of the circadian oscillator of Arabidopsis was recendy reported to be distorted by mutadon of the PARC orthologue, the tej gene. Although the molecular mechanism of the 

We would like to thank Drs. W.M. Tong and Z.Q. Wang of lARC, Dr. K. Fukasawa of University of Cindnnatti Collie of Medicine, Drs. M. Yamada and H. Takahashi of Niigata University, Drs. F. Uchiumi, H. Maruta and S. Tanuma of Tokyo University of Science, Dis. K. Sawamoto and H. Okano of Osaka University and Drs. S. Ohashi, K. Okamoto, E. Si hata and N. Uematsu of our Department for their cooperation in this work. We also thank Ms. Ayako Kabayama for secretarial assistance. 

Bouchard VJ, Rouleau M, Poirier GG. PARP-1, determinant of cell survival in response to DNA 

Masutani M, Nakagama H, Sugimura T. Poly(ADP-ribose) and carcinogenesis. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2003 38 339-348. 

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