KillerRed Mediated Neurodegeneration in Canenorhabditis Elegans

Neurons are the main functional unit of the nervous system and maintenance of neuronal integrity is essential for normal physiological homeostasis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been found to cause oxidative stress that leads to neuronal degeneration and are implicated in many different neurodegenerative disorders. We would like to identify and understand the molecules and pathways involved in ROS mediated neurodegeneration. To do this we are assessing the utility of a novel method to produce ROS in the genetically tractable model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Worms were obtained that express the fluorescent protein KillerRed in specific neurons, illuminated to produce ROS, then assayed for defects in neuronal structure and function. Our results indicate that illumination of KillerRed expressing worms disrupts the structural and functional integrity of neurons and establishes a framework for future studies on molecular pathways of neurodegeneration