NIPSNAP1 and NIPSNAP2 facilitate healthy aging independent of mitophagy

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of aging and has been implicated in aging-related diseases. NIPSNAP1 and NIPSNAP2 are functionally redundant homologs involved in mitochondrial quality control, yet their roles in healthy aging and longevity remain unclear. Here, we generated a Nipsnap1/2 double knockout (DKO) mouse line and examined its impacts on mitochondrial physiology and natural aging. We demonstrated that the loss of Nipsnap1/2 impaired mitochondrial function and enhanced glycolysis activity, but it did not affect mitophagy despite the significant accumulation of Parkin. Compared with wild-type mice, DKO mice exhibited reduced body weight, deteriorated muscle strength, and pronounced fragility at 24 months of age. Moreover, Nipsnap1/2 depletion exacerbates aging-associated fibrosis and inflammation in the heart, liver and kidney. RNA-seq revealed a pro-aging transcriptome reprogramming toward energy exhaustion in DKO mice, eventually leading to cachexia-like adverse metabolic remodeling. Our findings demonstrate an anti-aging role of NIPSNAP1/2 via the surveillance of mitochondrial health.