Effects of calorie restriction on the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase under oxidative stress conditions in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

Calorie restriction (CR) in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis extends its lifespan, as it enhances the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) and catalase. Here we show that CR also increased the mRNA levels of these antioxidant enzymes upon exposure to oxidative stress. Rotifers cultured under CR showed a higher survival rate than those fed ad libitum (AL) upon exposure to 0.05–0.2 μM juglone, an oxidative stress inducer. The relative mRNA levels of Mn SOD and catalase before exposure to juglone were slightly higher in the CR rotifers than in their AL counterparts, although these differences were not statistically significant. AL rotifers showed no apparent upregulation of the mRNA levels of these antioxidant enzymes upon exposure to 0.025 and 0.05 μM juglone. In contrast, the CR rotifers increased the mRNA levels of Mn SOD and catalase by up to 5.4-fold and 4.2-fold, respectively, resulting in significant differences between their levels in AL and CR rotifers under oxidative stress conditions. Furthermore, the protein level of catalase was clearly higher in CR than in AL rotifers 6 h after exposure to oxidative stress. These results suggest that the upregulation of Mn SOD and catalase genes is involved in CR-induced resistance to oxidative stress in the rotifer.