Entomology Commons^™

Decreased Expression Of Cu–Zn Superoxide Dismutase 1 In Ants With Extreme Lifespan, Joel D. Parker, Karen M. Parker, Barbara H. Sohal, Rajindar S. Sohal, Laurent Keller

Joel D Parker

Reactive oxygen species, the by-products of oxidative energy metabolism, are considered a main proximate cause of aging. Accordingly, overexpression of the enzyme Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) can lengthen lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster in the laboratory. However, the role of SOD1 as a main determinant of lifespan has been challenged on the grounds that overexpression might be effective only in compromised genetic backgrounds. Moreover, interspecific comparisons show lower levels of antioxidant activities in longer-lived species, suggesting that life-span extension may evolve through less reactive oxygen species generation from the mitochondria rather than higher expression of SOD1. The tremendous variation in …