Journal
MECHANISMS OF AGEING AND DEVELOPMENT
Volume 128, Issue 11-12, Pages 706-716Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2007.10.013
Keywords
Drosophila; oxidative stress; SOD; aging; mitochondria
Categories
Funding
- NIA NIH HHS [R21 AG024259, AG024259, AG025754-01, R15 AG025754-01A1, R15 AG025754] Funding Source: Medline
- NINDS NIH HHS [U54 NS039407, U54NS039407, U54 NS039407-06A10006] Funding Source: Medline
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Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD or SOD2) is a key mitochondrial enzymatic antioxidant. Arguably the most striking phenotype associated with complete loss of SOD2 in flies and mice is shortened life span. To further explore the role of SOD2 in protecting animals from aging and age-associated pathology, we generated a unique collection of Drosophila mutants that progressively reduce SOD2 expression and function. Mitochondrial aconitase activity was substantially reduced in the Sod2 mutants, suggesting that SOD2 normally ensures the functional capacity of mitochondria. Flies with severe reductions in SOD2 expression exhibited accelerated senescence of olfactory behavior as well as precocious neurodegeneration and DNA strand breakage in neurons. Furthermore, life span was progressively shortened and age-dependent mortality was increased in conjunction with reduced SOD2 expression, while initial mortality and developmental viability were unaffected. Interestingly, life span and age-dependent mortality varied exponentially with SOD2 activity, indicating that there might normally be a surplus of this enzyme for protecting animals from premature death. Our data support a model in which disruption of the protective effects of SOD2 on mitochondria manifests as profound changes in behavioral and demographic aging as well as exacerbated age-related pathology in the nervous system. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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