Age-related changes in mitochondrial membrane composition of Nothobranchius furzeri: comparison with a longer-living Nothobranchius species

Abstract

Membrane compositions, particularly of mitochondria, could be critical factors in the mechanisms of growth and aging, especially during phases of high oxidative stress that result in molecular damage. Changes affecting lipid class or fatty acid (FA) compositions could affect phospholipid (PL) properties and alter mitochondrial function. In the present study, mitochondrial membrane PL compositions were analysed throughout the life-cycle of Nothobranchius furzeri, a species with explosive growth and one of the shortest-lived vertebrates. Mitochondrial PLs showed several changes with age. Proportions of total PLs and PC were reduced while an increase in PS, CL and PE was observed, mainly between the 2.5 and 5 months of fish age, the time during which animals doubled their weight. FA compositions of individual PLs in mitochondria were also significantly affected with age suggesting the existence of increasing damage to mitochondrial lipids during the life-cycle of N. furzeri that could be one of the main contributors to degraded mitochondrial function associated with aging. The peroxidation index values from N. furzeri mitochondrial PLs were significantly lower than those reported in N. rachovii, a species with a two-fold longer life span than N. furzeri, which seems to contradict the membrane pacemaker theory of animal metabolism.