Higher levels of the lipophilic antioxidants coenzyme Q_(10) and vitamin E in long-lived termite queens than in short-lived workers  

作　　者：Eisuke Tasaki Yorihiro Yamamoto Yoshihito Iuchi 

机构地区：[1]Department of Biological Chemistry,Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation,Yamaguchi University,Yamaguchi,Japan [2]School of Bioscience and Biotechnology,Tokyo University of Technology,Hachioji,Tokyo,Japan

出　　处：《Insect Science》2024年第1期201-210,共10页昆虫科学（英文版）

基　　金：This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS)KAKENHI grants No.JP20K06074 to Y.I.and JP22K14830 to E.T.We sincerely thank Yuuki Kiya,Tomonori Masui,and Daigo Ogawa at Tokyo University of Technology for their technical support as well as Kenji Matsuura and the members of the Laboratory of Insect Ecology at Kyoto University for valuable suggestions and comments.We also thank our laboratory colleagues at Yamaguchi University and Tokyo University of Technology for their cooperation during this study.

摘　　要：Termite queens and kings live longer than nonreproductive workers.Several molecular mechanisms contributing to their long lifespan have been investigated;however,the underlying biochemical explanation remains unclear.Coenzyme Q(CoQ),a component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain,plays an essential role in the lipophilic antioxidant defense system.Its beneficial effects on health and longevity have been well studied in several organisms.Herein,we demonstrated that long-lived termite queens have significantly higher levels of the lipophilic antioxidant CoQ_(10) than workers.Liquid chromatography analysis revealed that the levels of the reduced form of CoQ_(10) were 4 fold higher in the queen's body than in the worker's body.In addition,queens showed 7 fold higher levels of vitamin E,which plays a role in antilipid peroxidation along with CoQ,than workers.Furthermore,the oral administration of CoQ_(10) to termites increased the CoQ_(10) redox state in the body and their survival rate under oxidative stress.These findings suggest that CoQ_(10) acts as an efficient lipophilic antioxidant along with vitamin E in long-lived termite queens.This study provides essential biochemical and evolutionary insights into the relationship between CoQ_(10) concentrations and termite lifespan extension.

关 键 词：antioxidant defense system coenzyme Q termite queens vitamin E 

分 类 号：Q96[生物学—昆虫学]