Pharynx mitochondrial [Ca2+] dynamics in live C. elegans worms during aging

Progressive decline in mitochondrial function is generally considered one of the hallmarks of aging. We have expressed a Ca sensor in the mitochondrial matrix of C. elegans pharynx cells and we have measured for the first time mitochondrial [Ca] ([Ca]) dynamics in the pharynx of live C. elegans worm...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Alvarez-Illera, Pilar, García-Casas, Paloma, Arias-del-Val, Jessica, Fonteriz, Rosalba I., Álvarez, Javier, Montero, Mayte
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/158100
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/158100
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Calcium
Gerotarget
Mitochondria
Aging
C. elegans
Pharynx
Descripción
Sumario:Progressive decline in mitochondrial function is generally considered one of the hallmarks of aging. We have expressed a Ca sensor in the mitochondrial matrix of C. elegans pharynx cells and we have measured for the first time mitochondrial [Ca] ([Ca]) dynamics in the pharynx of live C. elegans worms during aging. Our results show that worms stimulated with serotonin display a pharynx [Ca] oscillatory kinetics that includes both high frequency oscillations (up to about 1Hz) and very prolonged >square-wave> [Ca] increases, indicative of energy depletion of the pharynx cells. Mitochondrial [Ca] is therefore able to follow >beat-to-beat> the fast oscillations of cytosolic [Ca]. The fast [Ca] oscillations kept steady frequency values during the whole worm life, from 2 to 12 days old, but the height and width of the peaks was progressively reduced. [Ca] oscillations were also present with similar kinetics in respiratory chain complex I nuo-6 mutant worms, although with smaller height and frequency than in the controls, and larger width. In summary, Ca fluxes in and out of the mitochondria are relatively well preserved during the C. elegans life, but there is a clear progressive decrease in their magnitude during aging. Moreover, mitochondrial Ca fluxes were smaller in nuo-6 mutants with respect to the controls at every age and decreased similarly during aging.