Molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial protection against oxidative damage in hibernators - the anti-aging effects of heterothermy

Abstract

Natural hypothermia, in addition to allowing energy saving in hostile conditions, has been associated with delayed aging and increased longevity. However, the molecular basis responsible for observed correlations between the use of daily torpor/hibernation and indices of rate of aging is hitherto unclear. Considering central role of mitochondria dysfunction in the ageing process, we examined several mechanisms that might be involved in mitochondrial protection against oxidative damage during euthermia-hypothermia (and vice versa) transition, in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the European Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus citellus).

Results showed that in hibernation increased protein expression of Mn superoxide dismutase coincides with decreased content of ATP synthase and uncoupling protein 1. This suggests that BAT mitochondria during hibernation are protected from oxidative injuries by suppressed oxidative capacity, as well as by upregulated antioxidant defense. Also, the data indicate that such molecular pattern of changes is initiated already during prehibernating period. Namely, in this period we observed accumulations of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and nuclear factor (erythroid 2-related)-like 2, which are probably responsible for suppressed oxidative metabolism, i.e. increased antioxidant capacity, respectively. Increased expression of the mitofusin 1 and detection of the megamitochondria in the prehibernating period indicate intensive mitofusion process in the BAT. This may be another mechanism of protection of mitochondrial content/function during euthermia-hypothermia transition.

The results of the study suggest mechanisms that might be associated with increased resistance of “hibernating” mitochondria to the oxidative damage. Also, the data showed that biochemistry responsible for redox balance within the cell involves integration of antioxidant response and transcription control of overall metabolism. Finally, the results go in favor of the previous reports that suggested HIF-1 as a negative modulator of aging.