Mitochondrial targets exploration of epigallocatechin gallate and theaflavin in regards to differences in stress protection under different temperatures

The study investigated the impacts of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and theaflavin (TF1) on temperature tolerance of nematodes and explored targets on mitochondria. Survival rates, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP content of nematodes at different temperatures incubated with EGCG or TF1 were quantified. Thermogenesis and function of ex-vivo mitochondria were characterized. Targeted proteins of substances were identified via drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) and RT-qPCR. It turned out that EGCG and TF1 increased survival rates of nematodes under heat and cold stress, respectively. TF1 exhibited lower MMP of nematodes and more mitochondrial thermogenesis than EGCG for the cold-protection. Meanwhile, TF1 up-regulated gpi-1, pgk-1, acox-1.2, acox-1.3, and acaa-2 to compensate the energy loss due to the uncoupling and downregulation of sdha-1 and atp-1. EGCG up-regulated ctl-1, hsp-60 and enol-1 expression for the thermo-protection, as well as pgk-1, acox-1.3, and acaa-2 to compensate energy loss due to the downregulation of sdha-1.