Predictors of telomere content in dragon lizards
Ballen, Cissy; Healey, Mo; Wilson, Mark; Tobler, Michael, et al. (2012). Predictors of telomere content in dragon lizards. Naturwissenschaften, 99, (8), 661 - 664
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Published
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English
Authors:
Ballen, Cissy
;
Healey, Mo
;
Wilson, Mark
;
Tobler, Michael
, et al.
Department:
MEMEG
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab
Research Group:
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab
Abstract:
Telomeres shorten as a consequence of DNA
replication, in particular in cells with low production of
telomerase and perhaps in response to physiological stress
from exposure to reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide.
This process of telomere attrition is countered by innate
antioxidation, such as via the production of superoxide
dismutase. We studied the inheritance of telomere length
in the Australian painted dragon lizard (Ctenophorus pictus)
and the extent to which telomere length covaries with masscorrected
maternal reproductive investment, which reflects
the level of circulating yolk precursor and antioxidant,
vitellogenin. Our predictors of offspring telomere length
explained 72 % of telomere variation (including interstitial
telomeres if such are present). Maternal telomere length and
reproductive investment were positively influencing offspring
telomere length in our analyses, whereas flow
cytometry-estimated superoxide level was negatively
impacting offspring telomere length. We suggest that the
effects of superoxide on hatchling telomere shortening may
be partly balanced by transgenerational effects of vitellogenin
antioxidation.
Keywords:
Lizard ;
Reactive oxygen species ;
Superoxide ;
Telomere ;
Vitellogenin
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