Prolonged Lifespan with Enhanced Exploratory Behavior in Mice Overexpressing the Oxidized Nucleoside Triphosphatase hMTH1.

Authors: De Luca G; Ventura I; Sanghez V; Russo MT; Ajmone-Cat MA; Cacci E; Martire A; Popoli P; Falcone G; Michelini F; Crescenzi M; Degan P; Minghetti L; Bignami M; Calamandrei G

Abstract: The contribution that oxidative damage to DNA and/or RNA makes to the aging process remains undefined. In this study we used the hMTH1-Tg mouse model to investigate how oxidative damage to nucleic acids affects aging. hMTH1-Tg mice express high levels of the hMTH1 hydrolase that degrades 8-oxodGTP and 8-oxoGTP and excludes 8-oxoguanine from both DNA and RNA. Compared to wild-type animals, hMTH1-overexpressing mice have significantly lower steady-state levels of 8-oxoguanine in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA of several organs, including the brain. hMTH1 overexpression prevents the age-dependent accumulation of DNA 8-oxoguanine that occurs in wild-type mice. These lower levels of oxidized guanines are associated with increased longevity and hMTH1-Tg animals live significantly longer than their wild-type littermates. Neither lipid oxidation nor overall antioxidant status are significantly affected by hMTH1 overexpression. At the cellular level, neurospheres derived from adult hMTH1-Tg neural progenitor cells display increased proliferative capacity and primary fibroblasts from hMTH1-Tg embryos do not undergo overt senescence in vitro. The significantly lower levels of oxidized DNA/RNA in transgenic animals are associated with behavioral changes. These mice show reduced anxiety and enhanced investigation of environmental and social cues. Longevity conferred by overexpression of a single nucleotide hydrolase in hMTH1-Tg animals is an example of lifespan extension associated with healthy aging. It provides a link between aging and oxidative damage to nucleic acids. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Journal: Aging cell
Date: May 8, 2013
PMID: 23648059
Select reference article to upload


Citation:

De Luca G, Ventura I, Sanghez V, Russo MT, Ajmone-Cat MA, Cacci E, Martire A, Popoli P, Falcone G, Michelini F, Crescenzi M, Degan P, Minghetti L, Bignami M, Calamandrei G (2013) Prolonged Lifespan with Enhanced Exploratory Behavior in Mice Overexpressing the Oxidized Nucleoside Triphosphatase hMTH1. Aging cell.


Study Lifespan Factors:
  • Nudt1 nudix (nucleoside diphosphate linked moiety X)-type motif 1


  • Update (Admin) | Auto-Update

    Comment on This Data Unit