Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
5-2021
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Lev Y. Yampolsky
Committee Members
Aruna Kilaru, Patrick Bradshaw
Abstract
Aging is a degenerative process characterized by a decline in physiological functions and cellular activities. Environmental and pharmacological interventions affecting longevity pathways have been extensively studied in model organisms. This study investigated the effect of chronic mild intermittent hypoxia (4 mg O2/L) or mild mitochondrial uncoupling with three doses of 0 (control), 0.1, 1, and 5 μM of 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP), on life history and gene expression in four clones of Daphnia magna. Interestingly, clones from intermittent ponds displayed better tolerance to hypoxia and DNP. Although neither treatments extended longevity, hypoxia increased fecundity and body size, and decreased food consumption and respiration rate. We uncovered 12 candidate genes that were differentially expressed in hypoxia-tolerant and sensitive clones in response to hypoxia. Unexpectedly, DNP increased fecundity and mitochondrial membrane potential without affecting food intake. This work opens up an opportunity for genomic determination of the potentially important phenotypes in a model organism.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Ekwudo, Millicent Nkiruka, "Effects of Respiratory Perturbations on Aging and Healthspan in Daphnia magna" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3903. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3903
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Genetics and Genomics Commons, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons