In this edition, we’ll take a look at a Canadian study which shows that reducing a worm’s ability to fight free radicals in a specific organ could increase it’s lifespan. Does this have any implications for humans?

Contents:

Intro 0:00
Graphical Abstract 1:49
Figure 1. Tissue-specific re-expression of sod-2 rescues deficits in fertility and embryonic lethality in clk-1;sod-2 mutants 2:28
Figure 2. Tissue-specific re-expression of sod-2 can decrease stress resistance in clk-1;sod-2 worms 5:37
Figure 3. Tissue-specific re-expression of sod-2 is not sufficient to reduce clk-1;sod-2 lifespan 6:41
Figure 4. Disruption of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase in the intestine is sufficient to increase lifespan 7:33
Figure 5. Intestine-specific knockdown of sod-2 is sufficient to enhance resistance to heat stress 9:33
Figure 6. Intestine-specific knockdown of sod-2 does not affect physiologic rates 10:29
Conclusion & Next Steps 11:40

Study reviewed:
Intestine-specific disruption of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase extends longevity.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0891584925000383

2009 paper from the same authors:
Deletion of the Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase sod-2 Extends Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans.
https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.

General overview of the pros and cons of free radicals for lifespan:
Beneficial and Detrimental Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species on Lifespan: A Comprehensive Review of Comparative and Experimental Studies.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-…28157/full.