p66Shc Inactivation Modifies RNS Production, Regulates Sirt3 Activity, and Improves Mitochondrial Homeostasis, Delaying the Aging Process in Mouse Brain

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Mar 12:2018:8561892. doi: 10.1155/2018/8561892. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Programmed and damage aging theories have traditionally been conceived as stand-alone schools of thought. However, the p66Shc adaptor protein has demonstrated that aging-regulating genes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely interconnected, since its absence modifies metabolic homeostasis by providing oxidative stress resistance and promoting longevity. p66Shc(-/-) mice are a unique opportunity to further comprehend the bidirectional relationship between redox homeostasis and the imbalance of mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics during aging. This study shows that brain mitochondria of p66Shc(-/-) aged mice exhibit a reduced alteration of redox balance with a decrease in both ROS generation and its detoxification activity. We also demonstrate a strong link between reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and mitochondrial function, morphology, and biogenesis, where low levels of ONOO- formation present in aged p66Shc(-/-) mouse brain prevent protein nitration, delaying the loss of biological functions characteristic of the aging process. Sirt3 modulates age-associated mitochondrial biology and function via lysine deacetylation of target proteins, and we show that its regulation depends on its nitration status and is benefited by the improved NAD+/NADH ratio in aged p66Shc(-/-) brain mitochondria. Low levels of protein nitration and acetylation could cause the metabolic homeostasis maintenance observed during aging in this group, thus increasing its lifespan.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Reactive Nitrogen Species / metabolism*
  • Sirtuin 3 / metabolism*
  • Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing, Transforming Protein 1 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Reactive Nitrogen Species
  • Shc1 protein, mouse
  • Sirt3 protein, mouse
  • Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing, Transforming Protein 1
  • Sirtuin 3