RNA-seq data of Nothobranchius guentheri brains of different ages

Annual fishes of the genus Nothobranchius are promising models for gerontological research. Nothobranchius reproduces typical aspects of vertebrate aging, including signs of brain aging. However, the age-dependent changes in the brain taking place at the transcriptome level are poorly understood. In this study, we performed RNA-Seq and de novo transcriptome assembly of brain tissues from Nothobranchius guentheri at different age points. To characterize genome-wide transcript regulation during fish brain aging we compared the datasets from three time points. Downregulation with age was detected for genes encoding cytoskeletal proteins, synaptic and axonal genes. Transcriptome analysis also revealed changes in expression of genes associated with regulation of circadian rhythms, cellular respiration, autophagy, and ion binding. In addition, we analyzed the effect of a long-term food supplement with meclofenoxate on the brains of old fish. Meclofenoxate is a well-known compound that can enhance cognitive performance. Overall, 783 genes in females and 128 genes in males were differentially expressed (FDR<0.05) under meclofenoxate treatment. Differentially expressed genes were mostly enriched in terms related to synapse organization and synapse signaling. Taken together the results of this study revealed pathways that may contribute to the brain aging and add to the evidence that N. guentheri can be used in drug screening with life-long pharmacological treatments