Involvement of the RTG-dependent retrograde signaling pathway in the maintenance of mitochondrial activity during ageing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

• Grant number: 12/50500-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2013
• End date: June 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Agreement: CNPq - First Projects Program
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Marques da Cunha
• Grantee: Fernanda Marques da Cunha
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles whose function is to integrate signals from cellular environments, regulating the energy production, apoptosis, and intracellular calcium homeostasis. Mitochondrial activity is important for cell physiology and several studies suggest an association between mitochondrial dysfunction and aging or development of age- related diseases. Since the majority of mitochondrial proteins are encoded by nuclear DNA, retrograde signaling (the communication from mitochondria to the nucleus) plays a key role in the maintenance of the dynamic mitochondrial character ensuring, its adequate function. This project aims to study the involvement of RTG-dependent retrograde signaling in mitochondrial function maintenance during aging of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The null mutants for Rtg2p, Rtg3p or both proteins (components of the RTG-dependent signaling pathway) will be analysed. The project also proposes to uncover the effect of the absence of the proteins above in yeast lifespan extension induced by caloric restriction. A better understanding of the mechanisms through which mitochondrial function is maintained and regulated during aging will facilitate efforts to identify strategies or targets for therapeutic interventions in disease processes, particularly those related to aging. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TORELLI, NICOLE QUESADA; FERREIRA-JUNIOR, JOSE RIBAMAR; KOWALTOWSKI, ALICIA J.; DA CUNHA, FERNANDA MARQUES. RTG1-and RTG2-dependent retrograde signaling controls mitochondrial activity and stress resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, v. 81, p. 30-37, APR 2015. (12/50500-7, 13/07937-8)

PEREIRA, MARCELO G.; SILVA, MEIRICRIS T.; DA CUNHA, FERNANDA M.; MORISCOT, ANSELMO S.; AOKI, MARCELO S.; MIYABARA, ELEN H.. Leucine supplementation improves regeneration of skeletal muscles from old rats. Experimental Gerontology, v. 72, p. 269-277, DEC 2015. (12/15276-9, 12/50500-7, 14/13874-1, 13/07937-8)

MENEZES-FILHO, SERGIO L.; AMIGO, IGNACIO; PRADO, FERNANDA M.; FERREIRA, NATALIE C.; KOIKE, MARCIA K.; PINTO, ISABELLA F. D.; MIYAMOTO, SAYURI; MONTERO, EDNA F. S.; MEDEIROS, MARISA H. G.; KOWALTOWSKI, ALICIA J.. Caloric restriction protects livers from ischemia/reperfusion damage by preventing Ca2+- induced mitochondrial permeability transition. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, v. 110, p. 219-227, SEP 2017. (12/50500-7, 13/07937-8, 14/11556-2)

KAKIMOTO, PAMELA A. H. B.; TAMAKI, FABIO K.; CARDOSO, ARIEL R.; MARANA, SANDRO R.; KOWALTOWSKI, ALICIA J.. H2O2 release from the very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase. REDOX BIOLOGY, v. 4, p. 375-380, APR 2015. (12/50500-7, 13/07937-8)