Publication
Title
Mitochondrial efficiency is increased in axenically cultured **Caenorhabditis elegans**
Author
Abstract
Culturing Caenorhabditis elegans in axenic medium leads to a twofold increase in lifespan and considering the similar phenotypical traits with dietary restricted animals, it is referred to as axenic dietary restriction (ADR). The free radical theory of aging has suggested a pivotal role for mitochondria in the aging process and previous findings established that culture in axenic medium increases metabolic rate. We asked whether axenic culture induces changes in mitochondrial functionality of C. elegans. We show that ADR induces increased electron transport chain (ETC) capacity, enhanced coupling efficiency and reduced leakiness of the mitochondria of young adult worms but not a decrease of ROS production capacity and in vivo H2O2 levels. The age-dependent increase in leak respiration and decrease in coupling efficiency is repressed under ADR conditions. Although ADR mitochondria experience a decrease in ETC capacity with age, they succeed to maintain highly efficient and well-coupled function compared to fully fed controls. This might be mediated by combination of a limited increase in supercomplex abundance and decreased individual CIV abundance, facilitating electron transport and ultimately leading to increased mitochondrial efficiency.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Experimental gerontology. - Oxford
Publication
Oxford : 2014
ISSN
0531-5565
DOI
10.1016/J.EXGER.2014.02.009
Volume/pages
56 (2014) , p. 26-36
ISI
000338607100004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Publication type
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Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.06.2014
Last edited 09.10.2023
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