Exceptional cellular resistance to oxidative damage in long-lived birds requires active gene expression

Previous studies indicated that renal tubular epithelial cells from some lo ng-lived avian species exhibit robust and/or unique protective mechanisms a gainst oxidative stress relative to murine cells. Here we extend these stud ies to investigate the response of primary embryonic fibroblastlike cells t o oxidative challenge in long- and short-lived avian species (budgerigar, M elopsittacus undulatus, longevity up to 20 years, vs Japanese quail, Coturn ix Coturnix japonica, longevity up to 5 years) and short- and long-lived ma mmalian species (house mouse, Mus musculus, longevity up to 4 years vs huma ns, Homo sapiens, longevity up to 122 years). Under the conditions of our a ssay, the oxidative-damage resistance phenotype appears to be associated wi th exceptional longevity in avian species, but not in mammals. Furthermore, the extreme oxidative damage resistance phenotype observed in a long-lived bird requires active gene transcription and translation, suggesting that s pecific gene products may have evolved in long-lived birds to facilitate re sistance to oxidative stress.