Aging neural progenitor cells have decreased mitochondrial content and lower oxidative metabolism

J Biol Chem. 2011 Nov 4;286(44):38592-38601. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.252171. Epub 2011 Sep 7.

Abstract

Although neurogenesis occurs in discrete areas of the adult mammalian brain, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) produce fewer new neurons with age. To characterize the molecular changes that occur during aging, we performed a proteomic comparison between primary-cultured NPCs from the young adult and aged mouse forebrain. This analysis yielded changes in proteins necessary for cellular metabolism. Mitochondrial quantity and oxygen consumption rates decrease with aging, although mitochondrial DNA in aged NPCs does not have increased mutation rates. In addition, aged cells are resistant to the mitochondrial inhibitor rotenone and proliferate in response to lowered oxygen conditions. These results demonstrate that aging NPCs display an altered metabolic phenotype, characterized by a coordinated shift in protein expression, subcellular structure, and metabolic physiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Female
  • Hypoxia
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Neurogenesis / physiology*
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Oxygen / metabolism*
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Regeneration
  • Stem Cells / cytology*

Substances

  • Oxygen