Cytochrome c oxidase loses catalytic activity and structural integrity during the aging process in Drosophila melanogaster

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 401; no. 1; pp. 64 - 68
• Main Authors: Ren, Jian-Ching, Rebrin, Igor, Klichko, Vladimir, Orr, William C., Sohal, Rajindar S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 08.10.2010
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; AGING; Aging - metabolism; Animals; ANIONS; ANTIBODIES; Catalysis; Complex IV subunits; Cytochrome c oxidase; DNA; DROSOPHILA; Drosophila melanogaster - enzymology; Drosophila melanogaster - physiology; Electron transport chain; Electron Transport Complex IV - chemistry; Electron Transport Complex IV - metabolism; HYDROGEN PEROXIDE; MITOCHONDRIA; OXIDASES; OXIDATION; Oxidative stress; PHYSIOLOGY; POLYPEPTIDES; Protein Subunits - chemistry; Protein Subunits - metabolism; O 2; H 2O 2; Cytochrome c oxidase; Electron transport chain; Oxidative stress; Mitochondria; ETC; Aging; Complex IV subunits; CcO
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.09.009

► Cytochrome c oxidase loses catalytic activity during the aging process. ► Abundance of seven nuclear-encoded subunits of cytochrome c oxidase decreased with age in Drosophila. ► Cytochrome c oxidase is specific intra-mitochondrial site of age-related deterioration. The hypothesis, that structural deterioration of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is a causal factor in the age-related decline in mitochondrial respiratory activity and an increase in H 2O 2 generation, was tested in Drosophila melanogaster. CcO activity and the levels of seven different nuclear DNA-encoded CcO subunits were determined at three different stages of adult life, namely, young-, middle-, and old-age. CcO activity declined progressively with age by 33%. Western blot analysis, using antibodies specific to Drosophila CcO subunits IV, Va, Vb, VIb, VIc, VIIc, and VIII, indicated that the abundance these polypeptides decreased, ranging from 11% to 40%, during aging. These and previous results suggest that CcO is a specific intra-mitochondrial site of age-related deterioration, which may have a broad impact on mitochondrial physiology.