The present invention generally relates to the field of therapy, prophylaxis and diagnosis of degenerative diseases, in particular neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the present invention relates to genes and proteins, which are regulated in connection with chronic oxidative stress in cells and are applied for therapy, prophylaxis, and diagnosis of degenerative diseases, in particular neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, the present invention relates to the use of genes and proteins, which are regulated in conjunction with chronic oxidative stress in cells, for the screening of candidate substances to identify prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents, which agents modulate the biologic activity of genes and/or proteins, which genes and/or proteins are activated in conjunction with chronic oxidative stress in cells. Further, the present invention relates to methods for diagnosis of degenerative diseases, in particular neurodegenerative diseases, and methods for identifying prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents, which agents modulate the biologic activity of genes and/or proteins, which genes and/or proteins are activated in conjunction with chronic oxidative stress in cells. Further, the present invention relates to kits performing the methods of diagnosis.