Moskalev, A. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2021

Geroprotective effects of Aronia melanocarpa fruit extract on Drosophila melanogaster

Aging and its consequences is one of the main problems of humanity. Phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins have great potential as geroprotectors. Plants including Aronia used as dietary supplements are an excellent source of these compounds. We have studied the effects of the ethanol extract from Aronia fruits on Drosophila melanogaster lifespan, locomotor activity, stress resistance (oxidative stress, heat shock and starvation). And also, in order to reveal the influence of Aronia extract applied to different life cycles of Drosophila melanogaster, we selected different dietary schemes for imago: throughout life, during the first two weeks (1 - 2) and during average age (4 - 6 weeks). It was revealed that the ethanol extract of chokeberry increases the median life expectancy in males and females by 5% when Drosophila melanogaster is added to the diet for 4 - 6 weeks of life. This suggests that intervention even in old age is sufficient to increase lifespan. In addition, no harmful effects of ABE on locomotor activity were found as an indicator of fly health. We showed that Aronia extract increased stress resistance to hyperthermia and oxidative stress. At the same time, Aronia extract did not significantly affect the resistance of flies to starvation. ABE supplementation has increased expression of heat shock proteins (Hsp27, Hsp68, Hsp83), oxidative stress resistance genes (Keap1, NRF, Sod1), some circadian clock genes (Clk, per) and gene of longevity Sirt1.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2019

Gray whale transcriptome reveals longevity adaptations associated with DNA repair, autophagy and ubiquitination

One important question in aging research is how differences in genomics and transcriptomics determine the maximum lifespan in various species. Despite recent progress, much is still unclear on the topic, partly due to the lack of samples in non-model organisms and due to challenges in direct comparisons of transcriptomes from different species. The novel ranking-based method that we employ here is used to analyze gene expression in the gray whale and compare its de novo assembled transcriptome with that of other long- and short-lived mammals. Gray whales are among the top 1% longest-lived mammals. Despite the extreme environment, or maybe due to a remarkable adaptation to its habitat (intermittent hypoxia, Arctic water, and high pressure), gray whales reach at least the age of 77 years. In this work, we show that long-lived mammals share common gene expression patterns between themselves, including high expression of DNA maintenance and repair, ubiquitination, apoptosis, and immune responses. Additionally, the level of expression for gray whale orthologs of pro- and anti-longevity genes found in model organisms is in support of their alleged role and direction in lifespan determination. Remarkably, among highly expressed pro-longevity genes many are stress-related, reflecting an adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. The conducted analysis suggests that the gray whale potentially possesses high resistance to cancer and stress, at least in part ensuring its longevity. This new transcriptome assembly also provides important resources to support the efforts of maintaining the endangered population of gray whales.

evolutionary biology↗