Long-Lived Termite Queens Exhibit High Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase Activity.

摘要: In most organisms, superoxide dismutases (SODs) are among the effective antioxidant enzymes that regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by oxidative energy metabolism. ROS considered main proximate causes of aging. However, it remains unclear if SOD activities associated with organismal longevity. The queens eusocial insects, such as termites, ants, and honeybees, exhibit extraordinary longevity in comparison nonreproductive castes, workers. Therefore, promising candidates to study underlying mechanisms Here, we found have higher Cu/Zn-SOD activity than individuals termite Reticulitermes speratus. We identified three sequences one Mn-SOD sequence RNA sequencing R. Although showed individuals, there were no differences their expression levels genes RsSOD1 RsSOD3A. Copper (Cu2+ Cu+) is an essential cofactor for enzyme activity, had concentrations copper These results suggest high related rather gene expression. This highlights contributes termites.