Abstract
The hypothesis that oxygen free radicals are causally involved in the aging process was tested by a study of the effects of simultaneous overexpression of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and catalase. As compared to diploid controls, transgenic flies carrying three copies of each of these genes exhibited as much as a one-third extension of life-span, a longer mortality rate doubling time, a lower amount of protein oxidative damage, and a delayed loss in physical performance. Results provide direct support for the free radical hypothesis of aging.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Aging / genetics
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Aging / physiology*
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Catalase / genetics
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Catalase / metabolism*
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Drosophila melanogaster / enzymology
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Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
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Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
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Female
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Gene Expression
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Longevity
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Male
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Oxidation-Reduction
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Oxygen Consumption
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Proteins / metabolism
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Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
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Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
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Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism*
Substances
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Proteins
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Reactive Oxygen Species
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Catalase
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Superoxide Dismutase