Small GTPases in C. elegans metabolism

Advancing Longevity: Exploring Antiaging Pharmaceuticals in Contemporary Clinical Trials Amid Aging Dynamics

Aging is an inevitable biological process that significantly impacts human health, leading to a decline in cellular function and an increase in cellular damage. This study elucidates the burgeoning potential of antiaging pharmaceuticals in mitigating the thriving burden of chronic conditions linked to advancing age. It underscores the pivotal role of these pharmacotherapeutic agents in fostering longevity free from debilitating age-related afflictions, notably cardiovascular disorders, neoplastic processes, and neurodegenerative pathologies. While commendable strides have been made evident in preclinical models, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate their effectiveness and safety in human groups. In addition, ethical concerns about fair access, societal impacts, and careful resource distribution are significant in discussions about developing and using antiaging medications. By approaching the development and utilization of antiaging medications with diligence and foresight, we can strive toward a future where individuals can enjoy extended lifespans free from the debilitating effects of age-related ailments.

The UPRmt Protects Caenorhabditis elegans from Mitochondrial Dysfunction by Upregulating Specific Enzymes of the Mevalonate Pathway

The mevalonate pathway is the primary target of the cholesterol-lowering drugs statins, some of the most widely prescribed medicines of all time. The pathway's enzymes not only catalyze the synthesis of cholesterol but also of diverse metabolites such as mitochondrial electron carriers and isoprenyls. Recently, it has been shown that one type of mitochondrial stress response, the UPR^mt, can protect yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans, and cultured human cells from the deleterious effects of mevalonate pathway inhibition by statins. The mechanistic basis for this protection, however, remains unknown. Using C. elegans, we found that the UPR^mt does not directly affect the levels of the statin target HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-controlling enzyme of the mevalonate pathway in mammals. Instead, in C. elegans the UPR^mt upregulates the first dedicated enzyme of the pathway, HMG-CoA synthase (HMGS-1). A targeted RNA interference (RNAi) screen identified two UPR^mt transcription factors, ATFS-1 and DVE-1, as regulators of HMGS-1 A comprehensive analysis of the pathway's enzymes found that, in addition to HMGS-1, the UPR^mt upregulates enzymes involved with the biosynthesis of electron carriers and geranylgeranylation intermediates. Geranylgeranylation, in turn, is requisite for the full execution of the UPR^mt 3response. Thus, the UPR^mt acts in at least three coordinated, compensatory arms to upregulate specific branches of the mevalonate pathway, thereby alleviating mitochondrial stress. We propose that statin-mediated inhibition of the mevalonate pathway blocks this compensatory system of the UPR^mt and consequentially impedes mitochondrial homeostasis. This effect is likely one of the principal bases for the adverse side effects of statins.