Research Paper Volume 5, Issue 7 pp 539—550
Rapamycin doses sufficient to extend lifespan do not compromise muscle mitochondrial content or endurance
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.