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Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System to Study Protein Homeostasis in a Multicellular Organism
Published on: December 18, 2013
Bioactive Peptides from Angelica sinensis Protein Hydrolyzate Delay Senescence in Caenorhabditis elegans through
Qiangqiang Wang1, Yunxuan Huang2, Chuixin Qin3
1Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Research & Development Centre, Infinitus (China) Company Ltd., Guangzhou 510665, China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
Abstract:
Since excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) is known to be associated with aging and age-related diseases, strategies modulating ROS level and antioxidant defense systems may contribute to the delay of senescence. Here we show that the protein hydrolyzate from Angelica sinensis was capable of increasing oxidative survival of the model animal Caenorhabditis elegans intoxicated by paraquat. The hydrolyzate was then fractionated by ultrafiltration, and the antioxidant fraction (<3 kDa) was purified by gel filtration to obtain the antioxidant A. sinensis peptides (AsiPeps), which were mostly composed of peptides with <20 amino acid residues. Further studies demonstrate that AsiPeps were able to reduce the endogenous ROS level, increase the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and decrease the content of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde in nematodes treated with paraquat or undergoing senescence. AsiPeps were also shown to reduce age pigments accumulation and extend lifespan but did not affect the food-intake behavior of the nematodes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that A. sinensis peptides (AsiPeps) are able to delay aging process in C. elegans through antioxidant activities independent of dietary restriction.
Insights
Angelica sinensis peptides (AsiPeps) combat aging by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing antioxidant defenses in C. elegans. These peptides extend lifespan and delay senescence through antioxidant activity, independent of dietary changes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) are linked to aging and age-related diseases.
- Modulating ROS levels and antioxidant defenses may delay senescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-aging potential of protein hydrolysate from Angelica sinensis.
- To identify and characterize antioxidant peptides from Angelica sinensis and evaluate their effects on aging in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Main Methods:
- Fractionation of Angelica sinensis protein hydrolysate using ultrafiltration and gel filtration.
- Treatment of Caenorhabditis elegans with paraquat or undergoing senescence with purified Angelica sinensis peptides (AsiPeps).
- Measurement of oxidative survival, endogenous ROS levels, antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase), lipid peroxidation, and age pigments.
Main Results:
- Angelica sinensis protein hydrolysate increased oxidative survival in paraquat-intoxicated Caenorhabditis elegans.
- Purified AsiPeps (<3 kDa, <20 amino acid residues) reduced endogenous ROS levels and lipid peroxidation.
- AsiPeps enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, decreased age pigments, and extended lifespan in aging nematodes without affecting food intake.
Conclusions:
- Angelica sinensis peptides (AsiPeps) possess significant antioxidant activities.
- AsiPeps effectively delay the aging process in Caenorhabditis elegans through antioxidant mechanisms.
- The anti-aging effects of AsiPeps are independent of dietary restriction.
