Perturbation of mitochondrial complex V alters the response to dietary restriction in Drosophila

Abstract

Studies in a broad spectrum of model organisms have reported that dietary restriction (DR) is associated with an increase in mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) function. However, the question of whether ETC function is required for DR-mediated longevity remains controversial. Here, we report that genetic and pharmacological interventions that target mitochondrial complex V affect Drosophila lifespan in a nutrient-dependent manner. These findings support a requirement for mitochondrial complex V in DR-mediated longevity in flies.

Figure 1. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations that target mitochondrial complex V affect fly lifespan in a nutrient-dependent manner

(A) Dietary restriction (1% yeast medium) extends Drosophila lifespan whereas malnutrition (0.2% yeast medium) shortens lifespan. (B, C, D) Perturbation of mitochondrial complex V affects DR-mediated extension of adult lifespan. Genotypes were as follows: (A) Tub-Gene-Switch/w¹¹¹⁸; (B) da^G32-GAL4/w¹¹¹⁸ (Control) and da^G32-GAL4/UAS-complexV-RNAi (RNAi); (C) Tub-Gene-Switch/UAS-complexV-RNAi fed with or without RU486 (50 μg/ml during adulthood); (D) Tub-Gene-Switch/w¹¹¹⁸ fed with or without oligomycin (25 μg/ml during adulthood). Complete survival data including statistical analysis, replicate da^G32-GAL4 experiments and developmental feeding of oligomycin and RU486 are given in Table 1.