Expression of genes involved in mitochondrial import, homeostasis and apoptosis

In this thesis, we addressed whether the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial import and homeostasis correlate with lifespan by using the African turquoise killifish as an ageing model. To address the main objective, we sampled killifish at 6, 12 and 18 weeks of age to obtain young, “middle-aged” and old killifish. We measured gene expression within tissues that are associated with age-related decline: heart, liver and skeletal muscle. We analyzed the expression of genes related to mitochondrial protein import and homeostasis (Tomm40, Timm23, Mthsp60 and Mthsp70) and apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax) by qPCR.