Reduced expression of frataxin extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Aging Cell. 2005 Apr;4(2):109-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2005.00149.x.

Abstract

Defects in the expression of the mitochondrial protein frataxin cause Friedreich's ataxia, an hereditary neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by progressive ataxia and associated with reduced life expectancy in humans. Homozygous inactivation of the frataxin gene results in embryonic lethality in mice, suggesting that frataxin is required for organismic survival. Intriguingly, the inactivation of many mitochondrial genes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans by RNAi extends lifespan. We therefore investigated whether inactivation of frataxin by RNAi-mediated suppression of the frataxin homolog gene (frh-1) would also prolong lifespan in the nematode. Frataxin-deficient animals have a small body size, reduced fertility and altered responses to oxidative stress. Importantly, frataxin suppression by RNAi significantly extends lifespan in C. elegans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Fertility
  • Frataxin
  • Iron-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Iron-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Longevity
  • RNA Interference

Substances

  • Iron-Binding Proteins