Sex-dependent adaptations in heart mitochondria from transgenic mice overexpressing cytochrome b reductase-3.

Cytochrome b reductase 3 (CYB5R3) overexpression upregulates mitochondrial biogenesis, function, and abundance in skeletal muscle and kidneys, and mimics some of the salutary effects of calorie restriction, with the most striking effects being observed in females. We aimed to investigate the mitochondrial adaptations prompted by CYB5R3 overexpression in the heart, an organ surprisingly overlooked in studies focused on this long-lived transgenic model despite the critical role played by CYB5R3 in supporting cardiomyocytes mitochondrial respiration. Given that CYB5R3 effects have been found to be sex-dependent, we focused our research on both males and females.

CYB5R3 overexpression exhibits sexual dimorphism: Mitochondrial and metabolic adaptations in transgenic female mice during calorie restriction.

There is a pressing need to develop new strategies for enhancing health in the elderly and preventing the rise in age-related diseases. Calorie restriction without malnutrition (CR) stands among the different antiaging interventions. Lifelong CR leads to increased expression and activity of plasma membrane CYB5R3, and male mice overexpressing CYB5R3 exhibit some beneficial adaptations that are also seen with CR.