title: Regulation of Nrf2 signaling and longevity in naturally long-lived rodents.
abstract: The preternaturally long-lived naked mole-rat, like other long-lived species and experimental models of extended longevity, is resistant to both endogenous (e.g., reactive oxygen species) and environmental stressors and also resists age-related diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. The mechanisms behind the universal resilience of longer-lived organisms to stress, however, remain elusive. We hypothesize that this resilience is linked to the activity of a highly conserved transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). Nrf2 regulates the transcription of several hundred cytoprotective molecules, including antioxidants, detoxicants, and molecular chaperones (heat shock proteins). Nrf2 itself is tightly regulated by mechanisms that either promote its activity or increase its degradation. We used a comparative approach and examined Nrf2-signaling activity in naked mole-rats and nine other rodent species with varying maximum lifespan potential (MLSP). We found that constitutive Nrf2-signaling activity was positively correlated (P = 0.0285) with MLSP and that this activity was also manifested in high levels of downstream gene expression and activity. Surprisingly, we found that species longevity was not linked to the protein levels of Nrf2 itself, but rather showed a significant (P < 0.01) negative relationship with the regulators Kelch-like ECH-Associated Protein 1 (Keap1) and β-transducin repeat-containing protein (βTrCP), which target Nrf2 for degradation. These findings highlight the use of a comparative biology approach for the identification of evolved mechanisms that contribute to health span, aging, and longevity.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cellular and Structural Biology and Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229;
authors.forename: Kaitlyn N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Physiology and.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wason
authors.affiliation: Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229; Physiology and.
authors.forename: Yael H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Edrey
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, San Marcos, CA 92096; and.
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kristan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel.
authors.forename: Eviatar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nevo
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cellular and Structural Biology and Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229; Physiology and buffenstein@uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Rochelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buffenstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005849:Gerbillinae; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D000072019:Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013045:Species Specificity; D015262:Xenobiotics; D044844:beta-Transducin Repeat-Containing Proteins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C486610:KEAP1 protein, rat; D000072019:Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D015262:Xenobiotics; D044844:beta-Transducin Repeat-Containing Proteins
keywords: Nrf2; naked mole-rat; rodent longevity; stress resistance