DHS-21, a dicarbonyl/L-xylulose reductase (DCXR) ortholog, regulates longevity and reproduction in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Dicarbonyl/L-xylulose reductase (DCXR) converts L-xylulose into xylitol, and reduces variousa-dicar-bonyl compounds, thus performing a dual role in carbohydrate metabolism and detoxi?cation. Inthis study, we identi?ed DHS-21 as the only DCXR ortholog in Caenorhabditis elegans. The dhs-21gene is expressed in various tissues including the intestine, gonadal sheath cells, uterine seam (utse)cells, the spermathecal-uterus (sp-ut) valve and on the plasma membrane of spermatids. Recombi-nant DHS-21 was shown to convertL-xylulose to xylitol using NADPH as a cofactor. Dhs-21 nullmutants of C. elegans show defects in longevity, reproduction and egg-laying. Knock-down of daf-16 and elt-2 transcription factors affected dhs-21 expression. These results suggest that DHS-21 isa bona ?de DCXR of C. elegans, essential for normal life span and reproduction.