The current submission is a revised application for our grant on effects of exercise in the receptor of G protein signaling 14 (RGS14) knock out (KO) mouse. The RGS14 KO model, demonstrates enhanced exercise tolerance and energy utilization, resulting not only in longevity, but more significantly, healthful aging. The RGS14 KO reduces beta adrenergic receptor signaling, which might be consistent with longevity, but novel and unexpected as a mechanism for improved exercise, the focus of this application, since enhanced beta adrenergic receptor signaling has always been associated with improved exercise performance. The RGS14 KO model has the additional novel, salutary attribute of increased brown adipose tissue, which is known to increase energy utilization and protect against diabetes, but is not known to mediate enhanced exercise performance, which will be examined in this application. Another key feature of the RGS14 KO is its ability to increase angiogenesis, which would also enhance exercise performance, since limitation of blood flow to exercising muscle causes exercise to cease. The major focus of the current application is to examine the physiological and molecular mechanisms mediating the brown adipose tissue and angiogenesis induced enhanced exercise capacity in the RGS14 KO model. This is important because reduced exercise tolerance is central to all patients with cardiovascular and other diseases, impairing a healthy life style and aging, and conversely enhanced exercise protects against disease and extends longevity. The RGS14 KO also mimics the beneficial features of exercise training. Accordingly, developing an RGS14 inhibitor that can be given to patients would recapitulate the beneficial effects of exercise training without the burden placed on patients to undergo daily exercise. This last point is the focus of Aim C1 in this application.
With the U.S. population lifespan increasing each decade, potentially the most significant burden on Public Health and the U.S. economy will be the increasing numbers of senior citizens. If these older individuals age healthfully, they can potentially work longer and certainly enjoy their later years more fully. In order for this to occu, it is important that they are able to exercise normally. Furthermore, exercise is therapeutic for all the diseases that limit healthful aging, e.g., myocardial and peripheral vascular ischemic disease, the number one cause of death and disability in the U.S.. Inhibiting the regulator of G protein signaling 14 (RGS14 KO), the central feature of this proposal, and then translating this concept to therapy would not only help extend longevity, but more importantly, improve exercise capacity and extend healthful aging.
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