Research Paper Volume 7, Issue 1 pp 1—13

Figure 3. Pch-2 over-expression extends lifespan and enhances stress-resistance in C. elegans. (A) genotyping of pch-2 shows a band at 1670bp indicating the transgene in the pch-2 over-expressing line. (B) qRT-PCR validation of pch-2 over-expression worm lines by using transgene-specific primers shows increased pch-2 gene expression (p<0.01). (C) lifespan measurement was conducted for both WT (GFP-expressing, n=126) and pch-2 over-expressing (n=140) animals. Both median lifespan and maximum lifespan of pch-2 over-expression lines show a 25% extension when compared to WT lines (p<0.001, p values were derived from student t test and log-rank test). (D) After 4mM paraquat treatment, the median survival of pch-2 over-expressing lines (n=33) was increased by 40%, and the maximum survival of pch-2 over-expressing lines was increased 150% (n=30) (p<0.001). (E) The median survival of pch-2 over-expressing lines (n=49) was increased 45% after UV radiation when compared to WT (n=45) (p<0.001). (F) With heat shock, the median survival of pch-2 over-expressing lines (n=62) was increased by 85% when compared to WT (n=52) (p<0.001).