Age-dependent H3K9 trimethylation by dSetdb1 impairs mitochondrial UPR leading to degeneration of olfactory neurons and loss of olfactory function in Drosophila

Aging is characterized by a decline in essential sensory functions, including olfaction, which is crucial for environmental interaction and survival. This decline is often paralleled by the cellular accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, particularly detrimental in post-mitotic cells such as neurons. Mitochondrial stress triggers the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR^MT), a pathway that activates mitochondrial chaperones and antioxidant enzymes. Critical to the efficacy of the UPR^MT is the cellular chromatin state, influenced by the methylation of lysine 9 on histone 3 (H3K9). While it has been observed that the UPR^MT response can diminish with an increase in H3K9 methylation, its direct impact on age-related neurodegenerative processes, especially in the context of olfactory function, has not been clearly established. Using Drosophila, we demonstrate that an age-dependent increase in H3K9 trimethylation by the methyltransferase dSetdb1 reduces the activation capacity of the UPR^MT in olfactory projection neurons leading to neurodegeneration and loss of olfactory function. Age-related neuronal degeneration was associated with morphological alterations in mitochondria and an increase in reactive oxygen species levels. Importantly, forced demethylation of H3K9 through knockdown of dSetdb1 in olfactory projection neurons restored the UPR^MT activation capacity in aged flies, and suppressed age-related mitochondrial morphological abnormalities. This in turn prevented age-associated neuronal degeneration and rescued age-dependent loss of olfactory function. Our findings highlight the effect of age-related epigenetic changes on the response capacity of the UPR^MT, impacting neuronal integrity and function. Moreover, they suggest a potential therapeutic role for UPR^MT regulators in age-related neurodegeneration and loss of olfactory function.