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

► dhs-21 encodes l-xylulose dehydrogenase in Caenorhabditis elegans. ► dhs-21 mutants live shorter than wild types. ► dhs-21 mutants show defects in the reproduction process. ► DHS-21 is expressed on the surface of sperms. ► Expression of dhs-21 is regulated by daf-16 and elt-2.