title: Changes in expression of manganese superoxide dismutase, copper and zinc superoxide dismutase and catalase in Brachionus calyciflorus during the aging process.
abstract: Rotifers are useful model organisms for aging research, owing to their small body size (0.1-1 mm), short lifespan (6-14 days) and the relative easy in which aging and senescence phenotypes can be measured. Recent studies have shown that antioxidants can extend the lifespan of rotifers. In this paper, we analyzed changes in the mRNA expression level of genes encoding the antioxidants manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), copper and zinc SOD (CuZnSOD) and catalase (CAT) during rotifer aging to clarify the function of these enzymes in this process. We also investigated the effects of common life-prolonging methods [dietary restriction (DR) and resveratrol] on the mRNA expression level of these genes. The results showed that the mRNA expression level of MnSOD decreased with aging, whereas that of CuZnSOD increased. The mRNA expression of CAT did not change significantly. This suggests that the ability to eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria reduces with aging, thus aggravating the damaging effect of ROS on the mitochondria. DR significantly increased the mRNA expression level of MnSOD, CuZnSOD and CAT, which might explain why DR is able to extend rotifer lifespan. Although resveratrol also increased the mRNA expression level of MnSOD, it had significant inhibitory effects on the mRNA expression of CuZnSOD and CAT. In short, mRNA expression levels of CAT, MnSOD and CuZnSOD are likely to reflect the ability of mitochondria to eliminate ROS and delay the aging process.
authors: Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory for Biodiversity & Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
authors: Jianghua
authors: J
authors: Yang
authors: Siming
authors: S
authors: Dong
authors: Qichen
authors: Q
authors: Jiang
authors: Tengjiao
authors: T
authors: Kuang
authors: Wenting
authors: W
authors: Huang
authors: Jiaxin
authors: J
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002374:Catalase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017931:DNA Primers; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012403:Rotifera / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000502:physiology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase