Molecular mechanisms of lifespan extension in long-lived mitocondrial superoxide dismutase sod-2 mutants

To explore the molecular mechanisms of lifespan extension in sod-2 mutants in an unbiased manner, we used RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes in sod-2 mutants compared to wild-type worms. We found a large number of gene expression changes at day 1 of adulthood and much fewer at day 8. Upregulated genes in sod-2 mutants included genes involved in innate immunity and cuticle development. There were many more differentially expressed genes between day 1 and day 8 of adulthood compared to differences between the genotypes. sod-2 and wild-type N2 worms were collected at day 1 and day 8 of adulthood.