A Minimally Invasive Method for Monitoring Age-Associated Changes in Gene Expression in Fish Nothobranchius guentheri

Fish of the genus Nothobranchius are a unique model object of longevity genetics due to their short life span. They are especially promising for testing geroprotectors. However, the small size of the fish does not allow for dynamic evaluation of parameters reflecting aging rate and response to experimental effects on the same individual. The aim of the study was to develop an approach for minimally invasive monitoring of age-related changes in a model of Nothobranchius guentheri. The caudal fin transcriptomes of female and male N. guentheri of different ages, including those regenerated after resection, were sequenced. Differential gene expression was analyzed. Gene expression profiles in caudal fins of N. guentheri regenerated once or twice do not differ significantly when compared with intact fins. The results obtained open new prospects for minimally invasive monitoring of age-dependent changes in the organism at the molecular genetic level, including the study of potential geroprotectors.