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Wodrich APK, Scott AW, Giniger E. What do we mean by "aging"?: Questions and perspectives revealed by studies in Drosophila. Mech Ageing Dev 2023:111839. [PMID: 37354919 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
What is the nature of aging, and how best can we study it? Here, using a series of questions that highlight differing perspectives about the nature of aging, we ask how data from Drosophila melanogaster at the organismal, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels shed light on the complex interactions among the phenotypes associated with aging. Should aging be viewed as an individual's increasing probability of mortality over time or as a progression of physiological states? Are all age-correlated changes in physiology detrimental to vigor or are some compensatory changes that maintain vigor? Why do different age-correlated functions seem to change at different rates in a single individual as it ages? Should aging be considered as a single, integrated process across the scales of biological resolution, from organismal to molecular, or must we consider each level of biological scale as a separate, distinct entity? Viewing aging from these differing perspectives yields distinct but complementary interpretations about the properties and mechanisms of aging and may offer a path through the complexities related to understanding the nature of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P K Wodrich
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States; Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States; College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Andrew W Scott
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Edward Giniger
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States.
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2
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Jung Park H, Shim HS, Lee GR, Yoon KH, Ho Kim J, Lee JM, Sohn M, Yin CS, Park CY, Kang YM, Jin Lee B, Shim I. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the memory-enhancing effect of lactobacillus fermented Saccharina japonica extract. Eur J Integr Med 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Burke SN, Foster TC. Animal models of cognitive aging and circuit-specific vulnerability. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2019; 167:19-36. [PMID: 31753133 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-804766-8.00002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Medial temporal lobe and prefrontal cortical structures are particularly vulnerable to dysfunction in advanced age and neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on cognitive aging studies in animals to illustrate the important aspects of the animal model paradigm for investigation of age-related memory and executive function loss. Particular attention is paid to the discussion of the face, construct, and predictive validity of animal models for determining the possible mechanisms of regional vulnerability in aging and for identifying novel therapeutic strategies. Aging is associated with a host of regionally specific neurobiologic alterations. Thus, targeted interventions that restore normal activity in one brain region may exacerbate aberrant activity in another, hindering the restoration of function at the behavioral level. As such, interventions that target the optimization of "cognitive networks" rather than discrete brain regions may be more effective for improving functional outcomes in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara N Burke
- Department of Neuroscience, William L. and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Thomas C Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, William L. and Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
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Dabbaghizadeh A, Morrow G, Amer YO, Chatelain EH, Pichaud N, Tanguay RM. Identification of proteins interacting with the mitochondrial small heat shock protein Hsp22 of Drosophila melanogaster: Implication in mitochondrial homeostasis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193771. [PMID: 29509794 PMCID: PMC5839585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The small heat shock protein (sHsp) Hsp22 from Drosophila melanogaster (DmHsp22) is part of the family of sHsps in this diptera. This sHsp is characterized by its presence in the mitochondrial matrix as well as by its preferential expression during ageing. Although DmHsp22 has been demonstrated to be an efficient in vitro chaperone, its function within mitochondria in vivo remains largely unknown. Thus, determining its protein-interaction network (interactome) in the mitochondrial matrix would help to shed light on its function(s). In the present study we combined immunoaffinity conjugation (IAC) with mass spectroscopy analysis of mitochondria from HeLa cells transfected with DmHsp22 in non-heat shock condition and after heat shock (HS). 60 common DmHsp22-binding mitochondrial partners were detected in two independent IACs. Immunoblotting was used to validate interaction between DmHsp22 and two members of the mitochondrial chaperone machinery; Hsp60 and Hsp70. Among the partners of DmHsp22, several ATP synthase subunits were found. Moreover, we showed that expression of DmHsp22 in transiently transfected HeLa cells increased maximal mitochondrial oxygen consumption capacity and ATP contents, providing a mechanistic link between DmHsp22 and mitochondrial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afrooz Dabbaghizadeh
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, IBIS and PROTEO, Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Biochimie Médicale et Pathologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Geneviève Morrow
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, IBIS and PROTEO, Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Biochimie Médicale et Pathologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Yasmine Ould Amer
- Laboratoire de Signalisation Mitochondriale, Département de Biologie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada
| | - Etienne Hebert Chatelain
- Laboratoire de Signalisation Mitochondriale, Département de Biologie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pichaud
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Physiologie Comparée, Département de Chimie et Biochimie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada
| | - Robert M Tanguay
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, IBIS and PROTEO, Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Biochimie Médicale et Pathologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Yang J, Kim MJ, Yoon W, Kim EY, Kim H, Lee Y, Min B, Kang KS, Son JH, Park HT, Chung J, Koh H. Isocitrate protects DJ-1 null dopaminergic cells from oxidative stress through NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH). PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006975. [PMID: 28827794 PMCID: PMC5578699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DJ-1 is one of the causative genes for early onset familiar Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is also considered to influence the pathogenesis of sporadic PD. DJ-1 has various physiological functions which converge on controlling intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. In RNA-sequencing analyses searching for novel anti-oxidant genes downstream of DJ-1, a gene encoding NADP+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), which converts isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate, was detected. Loss of IDH induced hyper-sensitivity to oxidative stress accompanying age-dependent mitochondrial defects and dopaminergic (DA) neuron degeneration in Drosophila, indicating its critical roles in maintaining mitochondrial integrity and DA neuron survival. Further genetic analysis suggested that DJ-1 controls IDH gene expression through nuclear factor-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2). Using Drosophila and mammalian DA models, we found that IDH suppresses intracellular and mitochondrial ROS level and subsequent DA neuron loss downstream of DJ-1. Consistently, trimethyl isocitrate (TIC), a cell permeable isocitrate, protected mammalian DJ-1 null DA cells from oxidative stress in an IDH-dependent manner. These results suggest that isocitrate and its derivatives are novel treatments for PD associated with DJ-1 dysfunction. The molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is still elusive even though many causative genes for the disease have been identified. In this study, we demonstrated that isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), the enzyme responsible for converting isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate, is critical for the pathogenesis of PD by providing NADPH as a reducing power in the cell. IDH mutant animals showed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and phenotypes related to PD including dopaminergic (DA) neuron degeneration and locomotor defects. Conversely, elevating IDH function either by overexpression or treating a cell-permeable derivative of isocitrate, trimethyl isocitrate (TIC), made DA cells resist oxidative stress and reduce ROS level, thereby suppressing PD phenotypes induced by DJ-1 mutations. These results demonstrate that IDH protects DA neurons from ROS at the downstream of DJ-1 and cell-permeable isocitrates can be novel treatments for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsung Yang
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Ju Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center (PNRC), Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Woongchang Yoon
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Young Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center (PNRC), Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjin Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center (PNRC), Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonjeong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center (PNRC), Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Boram Min
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Shin Kang
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin H. Son
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwan Tae Park
- Department of Physiology, Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center (PNRC), Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongkyeong Chung
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (HK); (JC)
| | - Hyongjong Koh
- Department of Pharmacology, Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center (PNRC), Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (HK); (JC)
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Protection Efficacy of the Extract of Ginkgo biloba against the Learning and Memory Damage of Rats under Repeated High Sustained +Gz Exposure. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 2016:6320586. [PMID: 27069491 PMCID: PMC4812286 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6320586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Repeated high sustained positive Gz (+Gz) exposures are known for the harmful pathophysiological impact on the brain of rats, which is reflected as the interruption of normal performance of learning and memory. Interestingly, extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) has been reported to have neuroprotective effects and cognition-enhancing effects. In this study, we are interested in evaluating the protective effects of EGb toward the learning and memory abilities. Morris Water Maze Test (MWM) was used to evaluate the cognitive function, and the physiological status of the key components in central cholinergic system was also investigated. Our animal behavioral tests indicated that EGb can release the learning and memory impairment caused by repeated high sustained +Gz. Administration of EGb to rats can diminish some of the harmful physiological effects caused by repeated +Gz exposures. Moreover, EGb administration can increase the biological activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) but reduce the production of malondialdehyde (MDA). Taken together, our study showed that EGb can ameliorate the impairment of learning and memory abilities of rats induced by repeated high sustained +Gz exposure; the underlying mechanisms appeared to be related to the signal regulation on the cholinergic system and antioxidant enzymes system.
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Morrow G, Kim HJ, Pellerito O, Bourrelle-Langlois M, Le Pécheur M, Groebe K, Tanguay RM. Changes in Drosophila mitochondrial proteins following chaperone-mediated lifespan extension confirm a role of Hsp22 in mitochondrial UPR and reveal a mitochondrial localization for cathepsin D. Mech Ageing Dev 2016; 155:36-47. [PMID: 26930296 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Hsp22 is a small mitochondrial heat shock protein (sHSP) preferentially up-regulated during aging in Drosophila melanogaster. Its developmental expression is strictly regulated and it is rapidly induced in conditions of stress. Hsp22 is one of the few sHSP to be localized inside mitochondria, and is the first sHSP to be involved in the mitochondrial unfolding protein response (UPR(MT)) together with Hsp60, mitochondrial Hsp70 and TRAP1. The UPR(MT) is a pro-longevity mechanism, and interestingly Hsp22 over-expression by-itself increases lifespan and resistance to stress. To unveil the effect of Hsp22 on the mitochondrial proteome, comparative IEF/SDS polyacrylamide 2D gels were done on mitochondria from Hsp22+ flies and controls. Among the proteins influenced by Hsp22 expression were proteins from the electron transport chain (ETC), the TCA cycle and mitochondrial Hsp70. Hsp22 co-migrates with ETC components and its over-expression is associated with an increase in mitochondrial protease activity. Interestingly, the only protease that showed significant changes upon Hsp22 over-expression in the comparative IEF/SDS-PAGE analysis was cathepsin D, which is localized in mitochondria in addition to lysosome in D. melanogaster as evidenced by cellular fractionation. Together the results are consistent with a role of Hsp22 in the UPR(MT) and in mitochondrial proteostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Morrow
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, Département de biologie moléculaire, biochimie médicale et pathologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS) and PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Hyun-Ju Kim
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, Département de biologie moléculaire, biochimie médicale et pathologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS) and PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Ornella Pellerito
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, Département de biologie moléculaire, biochimie médicale et pathologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS) and PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Maxime Bourrelle-Langlois
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, Département de biologie moléculaire, biochimie médicale et pathologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS) and PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Marie Le Pécheur
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, Département de biologie moléculaire, biochimie médicale et pathologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS) and PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | | | - Robert M Tanguay
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, Département de biologie moléculaire, biochimie médicale et pathologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS) and PROTEO, Université Laval, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.
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Drosophila melanogaster mitochondrial Hsp22: a role in resistance to oxidative stress, aging and the mitochondrial unfolding protein response. Biogerontology 2015; 17:61-70. [DOI: 10.1007/s10522-015-9591-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Morrow G, Tanguay RM. Drosophila melanogaster Hsp22: a mitochondrial small heat shock protein influencing the aging process. Front Genet 2015; 6:1026. [PMID: 25852752 PMCID: PMC4360758 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are involved in many key cellular processes and therefore need to rely on good protein quality control (PQC). Three types of mechanisms are in place to insure mitochondrial protein integrity: reactive oxygen species scavenging by anti-oxidant enzymes, protein folding/degradation by molecular chaperones and proteases and clearance of defective mitochondria by mitophagy. Drosophila melanogaster Hsp22 is part of the molecular chaperone axis of the PQC and is characterized by its intra-mitochondrial localization and preferential expression during aging. As a stress biomarker, the level of its expression during aging has been shown to partially predict the remaining lifespan of flies. Since over-expression of this small heat shock protein increases lifespan and resistance to stress, Hsp22 most likely has a positive effect on mitochondrial integrity. Accordingly, Hsp22 has recently been implicated in the mitochondrial unfolding protein response of flies. This review will summarize the key findings on D. melanogaster Hsp22 and emphasis on its links with the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Morrow
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Biochimie Médicale et Pathologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systémes and PROTEO, Université Laval Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Robert M Tanguay
- Laboratoire de Génétique Cellulaire et Développementale, Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Biochimie Médicale et Pathologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systémes and PROTEO, Université Laval Québec, QC, Canada
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Drosophila Small Heat Shock Proteins: An Update on Their Features and Functions. HEAT SHOCK PROTEINS 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-16077-1_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Yamazaki D, Horiuchi J, Ueno K, Ueno T, Saeki S, Matsuno M, Naganos S, Miyashita T, Hirano Y, Nishikawa H, Taoka M, Yamauchi Y, Isobe T, Honda Y, Kodama T, Masuda T, Saitoe M. Glial Dysfunction Causes Age-Related Memory Impairment in Drosophila. Neuron 2014; 84:753-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2014.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Hrizo SL, Fisher IJ, Long DR, Hutton JA, Liu Z, Palladino MJ. Early mitochondrial dysfunction leads to altered redox chemistry underlying pathogenesis of TPI deficiency. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 54:289-96. [PMID: 23318931 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) is responsible for the interconversion of dihydroxyacetone phosphate to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate in glycolysis. Point mutations in this gene are associated with a glycolytic enzymopathy called TPI deficiency. This study utilizes a Drosophila melanogaster model of TPI deficiency; TPI(sugarkill) is a mutant allele with a missense mutation (M80T) that causes phenotypes similar to human TPI deficiency. In this study, the redox status of TPI(sugarkill) flies was examined and manipulated to provide insight into the pathogenesis of this disease. Our data show that TPI(sugarkill) animals exhibit higher levels of the oxidized forms of NAD(+), NADP(+) and glutathione in an age-dependent manner. Additionally, we demonstrate that mitochondrial redox state is significantly more oxidized in TPI(sugarkill) animals. We hypothesized that TPI(sugarkill) animals may be more sensitive to oxidative stress and that this may underlie the progressive nature of disease pathogenesis. The effect of oxidizing and reducing stressors on behavioral phenotypes of the TPI(sugarkill) animals was tested. As predicted, oxidative stress worsened these phenotypes. Importantly, we discovered that reducing stress improved the behavioral and longevity phenotypes of the mutant organism without having an effect on TPI(sugarkill) protein levels. Overall, these data suggest that reduced activity of TPI leads to an oxidized redox state in these mutants and that the alleviation of this stress using reducing compounds can improve the mutant phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy L Hrizo
- Deparment of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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Iliadi KG, Knight D, Boulianne GL. Healthy aging - insights from Drosophila. Front Physiol 2012; 3:106. [PMID: 22529821 PMCID: PMC3328947 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human life expectancy has nearly doubled in the past century due, in part, to social and economic development, and a wide range of new medical technologies and treatments. As the number of elderly increase it becomes of vital importance to understand what factors contribute to healthy aging. Human longevity is a complex process that is affected by both environmental and genetic factors and interactions between them. Unfortunately, it is currently difficult to identify the role of genetic components in human longevity. In contrast, model organisms such as C. elegans, Drosophila, and rodents have facilitated the search for specific genes that affect lifespan. Experimental evidence obtained from studies in model organisms suggests that mutations in a single gene may increase longevity and delay the onset of age-related symptoms including motor impairments, sexual and reproductive and immune dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. Furthermore, the high degree of conservation between diverse species in the genes and pathways that regulate longevity suggests that work in model organisms can both expand our theoretical knowledge of aging and perhaps provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of age-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin G Iliadi
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto, ON, Canada
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Gao Y, Li C, Yin J, Shen J, Wang H, Wu Y, Jin H. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae, improves cognitive impairment induced by infusion of Aβ peptide in rats. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2012; 33:304-11. [PMID: 22301160 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2011.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Revised: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/20/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Fucoidan is a complex sulfated polysaccharide, derived from marine brown seaweed. In the present study, we investigated the effects of fucoidan on improving learning and memory impairment in rats induced by infusion of Aβ (1-40), and its possible mechanisms. The results indicated that fucoidan could ameliorate Aβ-induced learning and memory impairment in animal behavioral tests. Furthermore, fucoidan reversed the decreased activity of choline acetyl transferase (ChAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and content of acetylcholine (Ach), as well as the increased activity of acetylcholine esterase (AchE) and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in hippocampal tissue of Aβ-injected rats. Moreover, these were accompanied by an increase of Bcl-2/Bax ratio and a decrease of caspase-3 activity. These results suggested that fucoidan could ameliorate the learning and memory abilities in Aβ-induced AD rats, and the mechanisms appeared to be due to regulating the cholinergic system, reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting the cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Gao
- School of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, PR China
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