Calorie restriction causes healthy life span extension in the filamentous fungus Podospora anserina.
Although most fungi appear to be immortal, some show systemic senescence within a distinct time frame. Podospora anserina for example shows an irreversible growth arrest within weeks of culturing associated with a destabilization of the mitochondrial genome. Here, we show that calorie restriction (CR), a regimen of under-nutrition without malnutrition, increases not only life span but also forestalls the aging-related decline in fertility. Similar to respiratory chain deficiencies the life span extension is associated with lower levels of intracellular H(2)O(2) measurements and a stabilization of the mitochondrial genome. Unlike respiratory chain deficiencies, CR cultures have a wild-type-like OXPHOS machinery similar to that of well-fed cultures as shown by native electrophoresis of mitochondrial protein complexes. Together, these data indicate that life span extension via CR is fundamentally different from that via respiratory chain mutations: Whereas the latter can be seen as a pathology, the former promotes healthy life span extension and may be an adaptive response.
van Diepeningen
Anne D
AD
Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Arboretumlaan 4, 6703BD Wageningen, The Netherlands. anne.vandiepeningen@wur.nl
Maas
Marc F P M
MF
Huberts
Daphne H E W
DH
Goedbloed
Daniël J
DJ
Engelmoer
Daniël J P
DJ
Slakhorst
S Marijke
SM
Koopmanschap
A Bertha
AB
Krause
Frank
F
Dencher
Norbert A
NA
Sellem
Carole H
CH
Sainsard-Chanet
Annie
A
Hoekstra
Rolf F
RF
Debets
Alfons J M
AJ
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000378:metabolism; D005298:Fertility; D042822:Genomic Instability; D005947:Glucose / Q000172:deficiency; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D048468:Podospora / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D005947:Glucose