Rates of behavior and aging specified by mitochondrial function during development
Science, 2002•science.org
To explore the role of mitochondrial activity in the aging process, we have lowered the
activity of the electron transport chain and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) synthase with
RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans. These perturbations reduced body size
and behavioral rates and extended adult life-span. Restoring messenger RNA to near-
normal levels during adulthood did not elevate ATP levels and did not correct any of these
phenotypes. Conversely, inhibiting respiratory-chain components during adulthood only did …
activity of the electron transport chain and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) synthase with
RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans. These perturbations reduced body size
and behavioral rates and extended adult life-span. Restoring messenger RNA to near-
normal levels during adulthood did not elevate ATP levels and did not correct any of these
phenotypes. Conversely, inhibiting respiratory-chain components during adulthood only did …
To explore the role of mitochondrial activity in the aging process, we have lowered the activity of the electron transport chain and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) synthase with RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans. These perturbations reduced body size and behavioral rates and extended adult life-span. Restoring messenger RNA to near-normal levels during adulthood did not elevate ATP levels and did not correct any of these phenotypes. Conversely, inhibiting respiratory-chain components during adulthood only did not reset behavioral rates and did not affect life-span. Thus, the developing animal appears to contain a regulatory system that monitors mitochondrial activity early in life and, in response, establishes rates of respiration, behavior, and aging that persist during adulthood.
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