A mutation in the gene encoding cytochrome c1 leads to a decreased ROS content and to a long-lived phenotype in the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina.
We present here the properties of a complex III loss-of-function mutant of the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina. The mutation corresponds to a single substitution in the second intron of the gene cyc1 encoding cytochrome c(1), leading to a splicing defect. The cyc1-1 mutant is long-lived, exhibits a defect in ascospore pigmentation, has a reduced growth rate and a reduced ROS production associated with a stabilisation of its mitochondrial DNA. We also show that increased longevity is linked with morphologically modified mitochondria and an increased number of mitochondrial genomes. Overexpression of the alternative oxidase rescues all these phenotypes and restores aging. Interestingly, the absence of complex III in this mutant is not paralleled with a deficiency in complex I activity as reported in mammals although the respiratory chain of P. anserina has recently been demonstrated to be organized according to the "respirasome" model.
Sellem
Carole H
CH
Centre de Génétique Moléculaire, UPR 2167, CNRS, 1 avenue de la Terrasse, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Marsy
Sophie
S
Boivin
Antoine
A
Lemaire
Claire
C
Sainsard-Chanet
Annie
A
D003575:Cytochromes c1 / Q000235:genetics*; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology; D009154:Mutation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D048468:Podospora / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D003575:Cytochromes c1