Free radical theory of aging, arteriosclerosis, neoplasia, cataracts, longevity
Phenotype Summary
Transgenic mice with targeted overexpression of catalase in mitochondria show lifespan extension, reduced aging pathology and reduced susceptibility to oxidative damage. Median and maximum life spans were maximally increased (average 5 months, and 5.5 months, respectively) in MCAT animals. Cardiac pathology and cataract development were delayed, oxidative damage (8-hydroxyguanosine) was reduced, H2O2 production and H2O2-induced aconitase inactivation were attenuated, and the development of mitochondrial deletions measured by LX-PCR was reduced.