Abstract
AbstractAging is characterized by a decline in essential sensory functions, including olfaction, which is crucial for environmental interaction and survival. This decline is often paralleled by the cellular accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, particularly detrimental in post-mitotic cells such as neurons. Mitochondrial stress triggers the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRMT), a pathway that activates mitochondrial chaperones and antioxidant enzymes. Critical to the efficacy of the UPRMTis the cellular chromatin state, influenced by the methylation of lysine 9 on histone 3 (H3K9). While it has been observed that the UPRMTresponse can diminish with an increase in H3K9 methylation, its direct impact on age-related neurodegenerative processes, especially in the context of olfactory function, has not been clearly established. UsingDrosophila,we demonstrate that an age-dependent increase in H3K9 trimethylation by the methyltransferase dSetdb1 reduces the activation capacity of the UPRMTin olfactory projection neurons leading to neurodegeneration and loss of olfactory function. Age-related neuronal degeneration was associated with morphological alterations in mitochondria and an increase in reactive oxygen species levels. Importantly, forced demethylation of H3K9 through knockdown of dSetdb1 in olfactory projection neurons restored the UPRMTactivation capacity in aged flies, and suppressed age-related mitochondrial morphological abnormalities. This in turn prevented age-associated neuronal degeneration and rescued age-dependent loss of olfactory function. Our findings highlight the effect of age-related epigenetic changes on the response capacity of the UPRMT, impacting neuronal integrity and function. Moreover, they suggest a potential therapeutic role for UPRMTregulators in age-related neurodegeneration and loss of olfactory function.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory