Culturing Caenorhabditis elegans on Escherichia coli Strains Lacking the Synthesis of bo' and bd-I Terminal Oxidases Extends the Nematode Lifespan

The effect of E. colicyoA and cydA mutations that diminish the activity of bo' and bd-I terminal oxidases, respectively, on the lifespan of C. elegans nematodes was examined. It was demonstrated that the mean lifespan of the nematodes feeding on the cyoA and cydA mutants increased by 15.5 and 12.8%, respectively. It is known that cyoA and cydA mutants are characterized by the increased level of reactive oxygen species production. It is suggested that the lifespan extension in C. elegans is determined by moderate oxidative stress that occurs in the nematode organism upon culturing on these mutant bacteria.