Age-related cellular copper dynamics in the fungal ageing model Podospora anserina and in ageing human fibroblasts.

ABSTRACT: In previous investigations an impact of cellular copper homeostasis on ageing of the ascomycete Podospora anserina has been demonstrated. Here we provide new data indicating that mitochondria play a major role in this process. Determination of copper in the cytosolic fraction using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis and eGfp reporter gene studies indicate an age-related increase of cytosolic copper levels. We show that components of the mitochondrial matrix (i.e. eGFP targeted to mitochondria) become released from the organelle during ageing. Decreasing the accessibility of mitochondrial copper in P. anserina via targeting a copper metallothionein to the mitochondrial matrix was found to result in a switch from a copper-dependent cytochrome-c oxidase to a copper-inde

SUBMITTER: Scheckhuber CQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2654708 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature