Modulation of longevity and diapause by redox regulation mechanisms under the insulin-like signaling control in Caenorhabditis elegans

Exp Gerontol. 2008 Jun;43(6):520-9. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2008.02.009. Epub 2008 Mar 18.

Abstract

In Caenorhabditis elegans, the downregulation of insulin-like signaling induces lifespan extension (Age) and the constitutive formation of dauer larvae (Daf-c). This also causes resistance to oxidative stress (Oxr) and other stress stimuli and enhances the expression of many stress-defense-related enzymes such as Mn superoxide dismutase (SOD) that functions to remove reactive oxygen species in mitochondria. To elucidate the roles of the two isoforms of MnSOD, SOD-2 and SOD-3, in the Age, Daf-c and Oxr phenotypes, we investigated the effects of a gene knockout of MnSODs on them in the daf-2 (insulin-like receptor) mutants that lower insulin-like signaling. In our current report, we demonstrate that double deletions of two MnSOD genes induce oxidative-stress sensitivity and thus ablate Oxr, but do not abolish Age in the daf-2 mutant background. This indicates that Oxr is not the underlying cause of Age and that oxidative stress is not necessarily a limiting factor for longevity. Interestingly, deletions in the sod-2 and sod-3 genes suppressed and stimulated, respectively, both Age and Daf-c. In addition, the sod-2/sod-3 double deletions stimulated these phenotypes in a similar manner to the sod-3 deletion, suggesting that the regulatory pathway consists of two MnSOD isoforms. Furthermore, hyperoxic and hypoxic conditions affected Daf-c in the MnSOD-deleted daf-2 mutants. We thus conclude that the MnSOD systems in C. elegans fine-tune the insulin-like-signaling based regulation of both longevity and dauer formation by acting not as antioxidants but as physiological-redox-signaling modulators.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Longevity / genetics
  • Longevity / physiology*
  • Metamorphosis, Biological / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Parasitology / methods
  • RNA Interference
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Insulin
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1
  • superoxide dismutase 2