Influence of SkQ1 on Expression of Nrf2 Transcription Factor Gene, ARE-Controlled Genes of Antioxidant Enzymes and Their Activity in Rat Blood Leukocytes

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V. V. Vnukov, O. I. Gutsenko, N. P. Milutina^*, A. A. Ananyan, A. O. Danilenko, S. B. Panina, and I. V. Kornienko

Southern Federal University, Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, pr. Stachki 194/1, 344090 Rostov-on-Don, Russia; E-mail: natmilut@rambler.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received October 23, 2014; Revision received January 16, 2015

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This study demonstrated that pretreatment of rats with mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 (50 nmol/kg during 5 days) significantly increased the mRNA levels of Nrf2 transcription factor and Nrf2-induced genes encoding antioxidant enzymes SOD1, SOD2, CAT, and GPx4 in rat peripheral blood leukocytes. The increase in expression of these genes with SkQ1 addition was accompanied by increased activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase in leukocytes. These results indicate that antioxidant properties of SkQ1 might be realized via induction of expression of the genes regulating activity of antioxidant system elements.

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KEY WORDS: gene expression, antioxidant enzymes, leukocytes, mitochondria-targeted antioxidant

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297915050107

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