Reactive Oxygen Species in Molecular Pathways Controlling Aging in the Filamentous Fungus Podospora anserina

To generate ATP via different types of respiration, the impact of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as by-products generated at the inner mitochondrial membrane is well analyzed and documented. Moreover, other pathways of ROS generation seem to be of relevance, but they are currently less explored. It now seems that ROS not only play a key role in the age-related damaging of biomolecules that are essential for proper cellular function but also in age-related signaling pathways. In particular, pathways related to apoptosis that finally bring life of senescent P. anserina cultures to an end are currently emerging to play a crucial role. Moreover, cellular defense and maintenance functions were demonstrated to effectively modulate life span. Among these functions, ROS scavenging, the tight control of cellular copper levels, retrograde responses, and mechanisms maintaining a population of functional mitochondria are of crucial importance. The elucidation of additional candidate pathways is a challenge for future research to reveal the mechanisms governing aging and life span control in a holistic view.