Research Paper Volume 5, Issue 7 pp 539—550

Rapamycin doses sufficient to extend lifespan do not compromise muscle mitochondrial content or endurance

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Figure 1. Rapamycin decreases expression of mitochondrial genes in skeletal muscle. (A, B) Transcript levels for mitochondrial transcription factors (PGC-1α, TFAM, NRF1 and ERRα) and mitochondrial DNA encoded genes (ATP5O, COX5b and cytochrome c) were measured in (A) soleus and (B) gastrocnemius (gastroc) muscles following 2 weeks of daily rapamycin treatment. (C) Relative mitochondrial DNA copy number was measured in gastrocnemius muscles by determining the ratios of two mtDNA-encoded genes (MT-CO1 and MT-ND1) to the nuclear gene NDUFV1. Data were obtained from C57BL/6 mice following an overnight fast after the last rapamycin injection. Open columns, control; Filled columns, rapamycin. *p<0.05, **p<0.01. Error bars show s.e.m; n=5.