Formaldehyde catabolism is essential in cells deficient for the Fanconi anemia DNA-repair pathway

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2011 Nov 13;18(12):1432-4. doi: 10.1038/nsmb.2173.

Abstract

Metabolism is predicted to generate formaldehyde, a toxic, simple, reactive aldehyde that can damage DNA. Here we report a synthetic lethal interaction in avian cells between ADH5, encoding the main formaldehyde-detoxifying enzyme, and the Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA-repair pathway. These results define a fundamental role for the combined action of formaldehyde catabolism and DNA cross-link repair in vertebrate cell survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Chickens / genetics
  • DNA Repair*
  • Fanconi Anemia / genetics
  • Fanconi Anemia / metabolism*
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group C Protein / genetics
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group C Protein / physiology
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group L Protein / genetics
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group L Protein / physiology
  • Formaldehyde / metabolism*
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways

Substances

  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group C Protein
  • Formaldehyde
  • Aldehyde Oxidoreductases
  • formaldehyde dehydrogenase, glutathione-independent
  • Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group L Protein