Differential effects on neuromuscular physiology between Sod loss-of-function mutation and paraquat-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila

Abstract

Oxidative stress is thought to be a major contributor to aging processes. Here, we report differential effects on neurotransmission caused by loss-of-function mutations of Superoxide dismutase (Sod) and by paraquat (PQ) feeding in Drosophila. We demonstrated alterations in Sod mutants; the larval neuromuscular junction displayed supernumerary discharges and the adult giant-fiber escape pathway showed increased latency and poor response to repetitive high-frequency stimulation. Even though the concentrations used led to motor coordination defects and lethality, PQ feeding failed to reproduce such performance deficits in these larval and adult preparations, indicating mechanistic distinctions between genetic and pharmacological manipulation of oxidative stress.