title: Deficiency of metallothionein-1 and -2 genes shortens the lifespan of the 129/Sv mouse strain.
abstract: Metallothionein (MT) family proteins are small molecular weight and cysteine-rich proteins that regulate zinc homeostasis and have potential protective effects against oxidative stress and toxic metals. To investigate whether MTs play a role in longevity determination in mammals, we measured the lifespans of wild-type (WT) and MT-1 and -2 gene knockout (MTKO) mice in a 129/Sv genetic background. MTKO mice of both sexes had shorter lifespans than WT mice. In particular, male MTKO mice living beyond the mean lifespan exhibited signs of weight loss, hunchbacked spines, lackluster fur and an absence of vigor. These results suggest that lifespan is shortened due to accelerated senescence in the absence of MT genes.
authors: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan. Electronic address: ykadota@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp.
authors: Yoshito
authors: Y
authors: Kadota
authors: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
authors: Yuka
authors: Y
authors: Aki
authors: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
authors: Yuriko
authors: Y
authors: Toriuchi
authors: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
authors: Yuto
authors: Y
authors: Mizuno
authors: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
authors: Takashige
authors: T
authors: Kawakami
authors: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
authors: Masao
authors: M
authors: Sato
authors: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, 180 Yamashiro-cho, Tokushima 770-8514, Japan.
authors: Shinya
authors: S
authors: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D057507:Mice, 129 Strain / Q000502:physiology*; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009043:Motor Activity; D015431:Weight Loss; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C491054:Mt2 protein, mouse; C525355:metallothionein-1, mouse; D008668:Metallothionein; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Aging; Lifespan; Longevity; Metallothionein; Senescence