1
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Yu ZZ, Tu JJ, Ou ML, Cen JX, Xue K, Li SJ, Zhou J, Lu GD. A mechanistic analysis of metformin's biphasic effects on lifespan and healthspan in C. elegans: Elixir in youth, poison in elder. Mech Ageing Dev 2024; 221:111963. [PMID: 38986790 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2024.111963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Aging, a complex biological process influenced by genetic, environmental, and pharmacological factors, presents a significant challenge in understanding its underlying mechanisms. In this study, we explored the divergent impacts of metformin treatment on the lifespan and healthspan of young and old C. elegans, demonstrating a intriguing "elixir in youth, poison in elder" phenomenon. By scrutinizing the gene expression changes in response to metformin in young (day 1 of adulthood) and old (days 8) groups, we identified nhr-57 and C46G7.1 as potential modulators of age-specific responses. Notably, nhr-57 and C46G7.1 exhibit contrasting regulation patterns, being up-regulated in young worms but down-regulated in old counterparts following metformin treatment. Functional studies employing knockdown approaches targeting nhr-57, a gene under the control of hif-1 with a documented protective function against pore-forming toxins in C. elegans, and C46G7.1, unveiled their critical roles in modulating lifespan and healthspan, as well as in mediating the biphasic effects of metformin. Furthermore, deletion of hif-1 retarded the influence of metformin, implicating the involvement of hif-1/nhr-57 in age-specific drug responses. These findings underscored the necessity of deciphering the mechanisms governing age-related susceptibility to pharmacological agents to tailor interventions for promoting successful aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Zhen Yu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province 530021, PR China.
| | - Jia-Jun Tu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province 530021, PR China.
| | - Mei-Ling Ou
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province 530021, PR China.
| | - Jin-Xiong Cen
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province 530021, PR China.
| | - Kun Xue
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China.
| | - Shao-Jun Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province 530021, PR China; Guangxi Colleges and Universities Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Highly Prevalent Diseases, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, PR China.
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province 530021, PR China.
| | - Guo-Dong Lu
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, PR China; Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Province 530021, PR China.
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2
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Feng D, Qu L, Powell-Coffman JA. Transcriptome analyses describe the consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295093. [PMID: 38517909 PMCID: PMC10959373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Metazoan animals rely on oxygen for survival, but during normal development and homeostasis, animals are often challenged by hypoxia (low oxygen). In metazoans, many of the critical hypoxia responses are mediated by the evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). The stability and activity of HIF complexes are strictly regulated. In the model organism C. elegans, HIF-1 stability and activity are negatively regulated by VHL-1, EGL-9, RHY-1 and SWAN-1. Importantly, C. elegans mutants carrying strong loss-of-function mutations in these genes are viable, and this provides opportunities to interrogate the molecular consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation. We find that the genome-wide gene expression patterns are compellingly similar in these mutants, supporting models in which RHY-1, VHL-1 and EGL-9 function in common pathway(s) to regulate HIF-1 activity. These studies illuminate the diversified biological roles played by HIF-1, including metabolism and stress response. Genes regulated by persistent HIF-1 over-activation overlap with genes responsive to pathogens, and they overlap with genes regulated by DAF-16. As crucial stress regulators, HIF-1 and DAF-16 converge on key stress-responsive genes and function synergistically to enable hypoxia survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingxia Feng
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Long Qu
- Department of Statistics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jo Anne Powell-Coffman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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3
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Bienkowska A, Raddatz G, Söhle J, Kristof B, Völzke H, Gallinat S, Lyko F, Kaderali L, Winnefeld M, Grönniger E, Falckenhayn C. Development of an epigenetic clock to predict visual age progression of human skin. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2024; 4:1258183. [PMID: 38274286 PMCID: PMC10809641 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1258183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Aging is a complex process characterized by the gradual decline of physiological functions, leading to increased vulnerability to age-related diseases and reduced quality of life. Alterations in DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns have emerged as a fundamental characteristic of aged human skin, closely linked to the development of the well-known skin aging phenotype. These changes have been correlated with dysregulated gene expression and impaired tissue functionality. In particular, the skin, with its visible manifestations of aging, provides a unique model to study the aging process. Despite the importance of epigenetic age clocks in estimating biological age based on the correlation between methylation patterns and chronological age, a second-generation epigenetic age clock, which correlates DNAm patterns with a particular phenotype, specifically tailored to skin tissue is still lacking. In light of this gap, we aimed to develop a novel second-generation epigenetic age clock explicitly designed for skin tissue to facilitate a deeper understanding of the factors contributing to individual variations in age progression. To achieve this, we used methylation patterns from more than 370 female volunteers and developed the first skin-specific second-generation epigenetic age clock that accurately predicts the skin aging phenotype represented by wrinkle grade, visual facial age, and visual age progression, respectively. We then validated the performance of our clocks on independent datasets and demonstrated their broad applicability. In addition, we integrated gene expression and methylation data from independent studies to identify potential pathways contributing to skin age progression. Our results demonstrate that our epigenetic age clock, VisAgeX, specifically predicting visual age progression, not only captures known biological pathways associated with skin aging, but also adds novel pathways associated with skin aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Bienkowska
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Günter Raddatz
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörn Söhle
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Boris Kristof
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Henry Völzke
- Institute for Community Medicine, SHIP/KEF, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Frank Lyko
- Division of Epigenetics, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lars Kaderali
- Institute for Bioinformatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Marc Winnefeld
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elke Grönniger
- Beiersdorf AG, Research and Development, Hamburg, Germany
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4
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Du N, Yang R, Jiang S, Niu Z, Zhou W, Liu C, Gao L, Sun Q. Anti-Aging Drugs and the Related Signal Pathways. Biomedicines 2024; 12:127. [PMID: 38255232 PMCID: PMC10813474 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a multifactorial biological process involving chronic diseases that manifest from the molecular level to the systemic level. From its inception to 31 May 2022, this study searched the PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases to identify relevant research from 15,983 articles. Multiple approaches have been employed to combat aging, such as dietary restriction (DR), exercise, exchanging circulating factors, gene therapy, and anti-aging drugs. Among them, anti-aging drugs are advantageous in their ease of adherence and wide prevalence. Despite a shared functional output of aging alleviation, the current anti-aging drugs target different signal pathways that frequently cross-talk with each other. At present, six important signal pathways were identified as being critical in the aging process, including pathways for the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nutrient signal pathway, silent information regulator factor 2-related enzyme 1 (SIRT1), regulation of telomere length and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), and energy metabolism. These signal pathways could be targeted by many anti-aging drugs, with the corresponding representatives of rapamycin, metformin, acarbose, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), lithium, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), respectively. This review summarized these important aging-related signal pathways and their representative targeting drugs in attempts to obtain insights into and promote the development of mechanism-based anti-aging strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Du
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ruigang Yang
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing 314002, China
| | - Shengrong Jiang
- The Meta-Center, 29 Xierqi Middle Rd, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Zubiao Niu
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing 314002, China
| | - Wenzhao Zhou
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chenyu Liu
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Lihua Gao
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
| | - Qiang Sun
- Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China; (N.D.); (R.Y.); (Z.N.); (W.Z.); (C.L.); (L.G.)
- Research Unit of Cell Death Mechanism, 2021RU008, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100071, China
- Nanhu Laboratory, Jiaxing 314002, China
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5
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Wang Z, Zou L, Zhang Y, Zhu M, Zhang S, Wu D, Lan J, Zang X, Wang Q, Zhang H, Wu Z, Zhu H, Chen D. ACS-20/FATP4 mediates the anti-ageing effect of dietary restriction in C. elegans. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7683. [PMID: 38001113 PMCID: PMC10673863 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43613-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary restriction is an effective anti-ageing intervention across species. However, the molecular mechanisms from the metabolic aspects of view are still underexplored. Here we show ACS-20 as a key mediator of dietary restriction on healthy ageing from a genetic screen of the C. elegans acyl-CoA synthetase family. ACS-20 functions in the epidermis during development to regulate dietary restriction-induced longevity. Functional transcriptomics studies reveal that elevated expression of PTR-8/Patched is responsible for the proteostasis and lifespan defects of acs-20. Furthermore, the conserved NHR-23 nuclear receptor serves as a transcriptional repressor of ptr-8 and a key regulator of dietary restriction-induced longevity. Mechanistically, a specific region in the ptr-8 promoter plays a key role in mediating the transcription regulation and lifespan extension under dietary restriction. Altogether, these findings identify a highly conserved lipid metabolism enzyme as a key mediator of dietary restriction-induced lifespan and healthspan extension and reveal the downstream transcriptional regulation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi Wang
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, China
| | - Lina Zou
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, China
| | - Yiyan Zhang
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, China
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Haining, 314400, China
| | - Mengnan Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Shuxian Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Di Wu
- Institute of Drug Discovery and Development, Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Jianfeng Lan
- Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541001, China
| | - Xiao Zang
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, China
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Haining, 314400, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, China
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Haining, 314400, China
| | - Hanxin Zhang
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, China
| | - Zixing Wu
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, China
| | - Huanhu Zhu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Di Chen
- Model Animal Research Center of Medical School, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210061, China.
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Haining, 314400, China.
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
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6
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Feng D, Qu L. Transcriptome analyses describe the consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation in Caenorhabditis elegans. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.15.567311. [PMID: 38014086 PMCID: PMC10680707 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.15.567311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Metazoan animals rely on oxygen for survival, but during normal development and homeostasis, animals are often challenged by hypoxia (low oxygen). In metazoans, many of the critical hypoxia responses are mediated by the evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs). The stability and activity of HIF complexes are strictly regulated. In the model organism C. elegans, HIF-1 stability and activity are negatively regulated by VHL-1, EGL-9, RHY-1 and SWAN-1. Importantly, C. elegans mutants carrying strong loss-of-function mutations in these genes are viable, and this provides opportunities to interrogate the molecular consequences of persistent HIF-1 over-activation. We find that the genome-wide gene expression patterns are compellingly similar in these mutants, supporting models in which RHY-1, SWAN-1 and EGL-9 function in common pathway(s) to regulate HIF-1 activity. These studies illuminate the diversified biological roles played by HIF-1, including metabolism, hypoxia and other stress responses, reproduction and development. Genes regulated by persistent HIF-1 over-activation overlap with genes responsive to pathogens, and they overlap with genes regulated by DAF-16. As crucial stress regulators, HIF-1 and DAF-16 converge on key stress-responsive genes and function synergistically to enable hypoxia survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingxia Feng
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Long Qu
- Department of Statistics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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7
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Hahm JH, Seo HD, Jung CH, Ahn J. Longevity through diet restriction and immunity. BMB Rep 2023; 56:537-544. [PMID: 37482753 PMCID: PMC10618078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The share of the population that is aging is growing rapidly. In an aging society, technologies and interventions that delay the aging process are of great interest. Dietary restriction (DR) is the most reproducible and effective nutritional intervention tested to date for delaying the aging process and prolonging the health span in animal models. Preventive effects of DR on age-related diseases have also been reported in human. In addition, highly conserved signaling pathways from small animal models to human mediate the effects of DR. Recent evidence has shown that the immune system is closely related to the effects of DR, and functions as a major mechanism of DR in healthy aging. This review discusses the effects of DR in delaying aging and preventing age-related diseases in animal, including human, and introduces the molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects. In addition, it reports scientific findings on the relationship between the immune system and DRinduced longevity. The review highlights the role of immunity as a potential mediator of the effects of DR on longevity, and provides insights into healthy aging in human. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(10): 537-544].
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Hoon Hahm
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Hyo-Deok Seo
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju 55365, Korea
| | - Chang Hwa Jung
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju 55365, Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Jiyun Ahn
- Aging and Metabolism Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju 55365, Korea
- Department of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
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8
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Beydoun S, Sridhar A, Tuckowski AM, Wang E, Leiser SF. C22 disrupts embryogenesis and extends C. elegans lifespan. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1241554. [PMID: 37791350 PMCID: PMC10544340 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1241554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is an instrumental model in aging research due to its large brood size, short lifespan, and malleable genetics. However, maintaining a synchronous nematode population for longevity studies is challenging and time consuming due to their quick rate of development and reproduction. Multiple methods are employed in the field, ranging from worm strains with temperature dependent sterility to DNA replication inhibitors such as 5'-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR). In this study, we characterize a small molecule (C22) that impairs eggshell integrity and disrupts early embryogenesis to determine its applicability as a potential FUdR alternative. We find that C22 prevents egg hatching in a concentration dependent manner. However, it extends the lifespan of wild type worms and can induce FMO-2, a longevity regulating enzyme downstream of dietary restriction. Our results suggest that C22 is unlikely to be widely useful as an alternative to FUdR but its mechanism for lifespan extension may be worth further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safa Beydoun
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Aditya Sridhar
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Angela M. Tuckowski
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Emily Wang
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Scott F. Leiser
- Molecular and Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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9
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Soo SK, Rudich ZD, Ko B, Moldakozhayev A, AlOkda A, Van Raamsdonk JM. Biological resilience and aging: Activation of stress response pathways contributes to lifespan extension. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 88:101941. [PMID: 37127095 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
While aging was traditionally viewed as a stochastic process of damage accumulation, it is now clear that aging is strongly influenced by genetics. The identification and characterization of long-lived genetic mutants in model organisms has provided insights into the genetic pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in extending longevity. Long-lived genetic mutants exhibit activation of multiple stress response pathways leading to enhanced resistance to exogenous stressors. As a result, lifespan exhibits a significant, positive correlation with resistance to stress. Disruption of stress response pathways inhibits lifespan extension in multiple long-lived mutants representing different pathways of lifespan extension and can also reduce the lifespan of wild-type animals. Combined, this suggests that activation of stress response pathways is a key mechanism by which long-lived mutants achieve their extended longevity and that many of these pathways are also required for normal lifespan. These results highlight an important role for stress response pathways in determining the lifespan of an organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja K Soo
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, and Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zenith D Rudich
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, and Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bokang Ko
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, and Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alibek Moldakozhayev
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, and Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Abdelrahman AlOkda
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, and Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jeremy M Van Raamsdonk
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Metabolic Disorders and Complications Program, and Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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10
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Shaposhnikov MV, Gorbunova AA, Zemskaya NV, Ulyasheva NS, Pakshina NR, Yakovleva DV, Moskalev A. Simultaneous activation of the hydrogen sulfide biosynthesis genes (CBS and CSE) induces sex-specific geroprotective effects in Drosophila melanogaster. Biogerontology 2023; 24:275-292. [PMID: 36662374 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10017-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of the most important gasotransmitters that affect lifespan and provide resistance to adverse environmental conditions. Here we investigated geroprotective effects of the individual and simultaneous overexpression of genes encoding key enzymes of H2S biosynthesis - cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) on D. melanogaster model. Simultaneous overexpression of CBS and CSE resulted in additive (in males) and synergistic (in females) beneficial effects on median lifespan. Individual overexpression of CBS was associated with increased thermotolerance and decreased transcription level of genes encoding stress-responsive transcription factors HIF1 and Hsf, while individual overexpression of CSE was associated with increased resistance to paraquat. Simultaneous overexpression of both genes increased resistance to hyperthermia in old females or paraquat in old males. The obtained results suggest sex-specific epistatic interaction of CBS and CSE overexpression effects on longevity and stress resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V Shaposhnikov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991
- Institute of Biology of Komi Science Center of Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation, 167982
| | - Anastasia A Gorbunova
- Institute of Biology of Komi Science Center of Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation, 167982
| | - Nadezhda V Zemskaya
- Institute of Biology of Komi Science Center of Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation, 167982
| | - Natalia S Ulyasheva
- Institute of Biology of Komi Science Center of Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation, 167982
| | - Natalya R Pakshina
- Institute of Biology of Komi Science Center of Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation, 167982
| | - Daria V Yakovleva
- Institute of Biology of Komi Science Center of Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation, 167982
| | - Alexey Moskalev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991.
- Institute of Biology of Komi Science Center of Ural Branch of RAS, Syktyvkar, Russian Federation, 167982.
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11
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Lazaro-Pena MI, Cornwell AB, Diaz-Balzac CA, Das R, Macoretta N, Thakar J, Samuelson AV. Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase maintains neuronal homeostasis during normal Caenorhabditis elegans aging and systemically regulates longevity from serotonergic and GABAergic neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.11.523661. [PMID: 36711523 PMCID: PMC9882034 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.11.523661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Aging and the age-associated decline of the proteome is determined in part through neuronal control of evolutionarily conserved transcriptional effectors, which safeguard homeostasis under fluctuating metabolic and stress conditions by regulating an expansive proteostatic network. We have discovered the Caenorhabditis elegans h omeodomain-interacting p rotein k inase (HPK-1) acts as a key transcriptional effector to preserve neuronal integrity, function, and proteostasis during aging. Loss of hpk-1 results in drastic dysregulation in expression of neuronal genes, including genes associated with neuronal aging. During normal aging hpk-1 expression increases throughout the nervous system more broadly than any other kinase. Within the aging nervous system, hpk-1 is co-expressed with key longevity transcription factors, including daf-16 (FOXO), hlh-30 (TFEB), skn-1 (Nrf2), and hif-1 , which suggests hpk-1 expression mitigates natural age-associated physiological decline. Consistently, pan-neuronal overexpression of hpk-1 extends longevity, preserves proteostasis both within and outside of the nervous system, and improves stress resistance. Neuronal HPK-1 improves proteostasis through kinase activity. HPK-1 functions cell non-autonomously within serotonergic and GABAergic neurons to improve proteostasis in distal tissues by specifically regulating distinct components of the proteostatic network. Increased serotonergic HPK-1 enhances the heat shock response and survival to acute stress. In contrast, GABAergic HPK-1 induces basal autophagy and extends longevity. Our work establishes hpk-1 as a key neuronal transcriptional regulator critical for preservation of neuronal function during aging. Further, these data provide novel insight as to how the nervous system partitions acute and chronic adaptive response pathways to delay aging by maintaining organismal homeostasis.
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Yap KN, Wong HS, Ramanathan C, Rodriguez-Wagner CA, Roberts MD, Freeman DA, Buffenstein R, Zhang Y. Naked mole-rat and Damaraland mole-rat exhibit lower respiration in mitochondria, cellular and organismal levels. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2022; 1863:148582. [PMID: 35667393 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2022.148582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMR) and Damaraland mole-rats (DMR) exhibit extraordinary longevity for their body size, high tolerance to hypoxia and oxidative stress and high reproductive output; these collectively defy the concept that life-history traits should be negatively correlated. However, when life-history traits share similar underlying physiological mechanisms, these may be positively associated with each other. We propose that one such potential common mechanism might be the bioenergetic properties of mole-rats. Here, we aim to characterize the bioenergetic properties of two African mole-rats. We adopted a top-down perspective measuring the bioenergetic properties at the organismal, cellular, and molecular level in both species and the biological significance of these properties were compared with the same measures in Siberian hamsters and C57BL/6 mice, chosen for their similar body size to the mole-rat species. We found mole-rats shared several bioenergetic properties that differed from their comparison species, including low basal metabolic rates, a high dependence on glycolysis rather than on oxidative phosphorylation for ATP production, and low proton conductance across the mitochondrial inner membrane. These shared mole-rat features could be a result of evolutionary adaptation to tolerating variable oxygen atmospheres, in particular hypoxia, and may in turn be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying their extremely long lifespans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Nian Yap
- Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States of America; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim 7491, Norway
| | - Hoi Shan Wong
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States of America
| | - Chidambaram Ramanathan
- College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America
| | | | - Michael D Roberts
- School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States of America
| | - David A Freeman
- Department of Biological Science, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America
| | - Rochelle Buffenstein
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States of America.
| | - Yufeng Zhang
- College of Health Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, United States of America.
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13
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Dzhalilova DS, Makarova OV. The Role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor in the Mechanisms of Aging. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:995-1014. [PMID: 36180993 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922090115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Aging is accompanied by a reduction in the oxygen delivery to all organs and tissues and decrease in the oxygen partial pressure in them, resulting in the development of hypoxia. The lack of oxygen activates cell signaling pathway mediated by the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF), which exists in three isoforms - HIF-1, HIF-2, and HIF-3. HIF regulates expression of several thousand genes and is a potential target for the development of new drugs for the treatment of many diseases, including those associated with age. Human organism and organisms of laboratory animals differ in their tolerance to hypoxia and expression of HIF and HIF-dependent genes, which may contribute to the development of inflammatory, tumor, and cardiovascular diseases. Currently, the data on changes in the HIF expression with age are contradictory, which is mostly due to the fact that such studies are conducted in different age groups, cell types, and model organisms, as well as under different hypoxic conditions and mainly in vitro. Furthermore, the observed discrepancies can be due to the individual tolerance of the studied organisms to hypoxia, which is typically not taken into account. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to analyze the published data on the connection between the mechanisms of aging, basal tolerance to hypoxia, and changes in the level of HIF expression with age. Here, we summarized the data on the age-related changes in the hypoxia tolerance, HIF expression and the role of HIF in aging, which is associated with its involvement in the molecular pathways mediated by insulin and IGF-1 (IIS), sirtuins (SIRTs), and mTOR. HIF-1 interacts with many components of the IIS pathway, in particular with FOXO, the activation of which reduces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases hypoxia tolerance. Under hypoxic conditions, FOXO is activated via both HIF-dependent and HIF-independent pathways, which contributes to a decrease in the ROS levels. The activity of HIF-1 is regulated by all members of the sirtuin family, except SIRT5, while the mechanisms of SIRT interaction with HIF-2 and HIF-3 are poorly understood. The connection between HIF and mTOR and its inhibitor, AMPK, has been identified, but its exact mechanism has yet to be studied. Understanding the role of HIF and hypoxia in aging and pathogenesis of age-associated diseases is essential for the development of new approaches to the personalized therapy of these diseases, and requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dzhuliia Sh Dzhalilova
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, Moscow, 117418, Russia.
| | - Olga V Makarova
- Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology, Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery, Moscow, 117418, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
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Prolonged Lifespan, Improved Perception, and Enhanced Host Defense of Caenorhabditis elegans by Lactococcus cremoris subsp. cremoris. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0045421. [PMID: 35575499 PMCID: PMC9241934 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00454-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactic acid bacteria are beneficial to Caenorhabditis elegans; however, bacteria acting as probiotics in nematodes may not necessarily have probiotic functions in humans. Lactococcus cremoris subsp. cremoris reportedly has probiotic functions in humans. Therefore, we determined whether the strain FC could exert probiotic effects in C. elegans in terms of improving host defenses and extending life span. Live FC successfully extended the life span and enhanced host defense compared to Escherichia coli OP50 (OP50), a standard food source for C. elegans. The FC-fed worms were tolerant to Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis or Staphylococcus aureus infection and had better survival than the OP50-fed control worms. Further, the chemotaxis index, an indicator of perception ability, was more stable and significantly higher in FC-fed worms than in the control worms. The increase in autofluorescence from advanced glycation end products (AGEs) with aging was also ameliorated in FC-fed worms. FC showed beneficial effects in daf-16 and pmk-1 mutants, but not in skn-1 mutants. Since SKN-1 is the C. elegans ortholog of Nrf2, we measured the transcription of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is regulated by Nrf2, in murine macrophages and found that HO-1 mRNA expression was increased >5 times by inoculation with FC cells. Thus, FC could exert antisenescence effects via the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway. This study showed for the first time that FC supported perceptive function and suppressed AGEs in nematodes as probiotic bacteria. Therefore, C. elegans can be an alternative model to screen for probiotic bacteria that can be used for antisenescence effects in humans. IMPORTANCE Aging is one of our greatest challenges. The World Health Organization proposed that “active aging” might encourage people to continue to work according to their capacities and preferences as they grow old and would prevent or delay disabilities and chronic diseases that are costly to both individuals and the society, considering that disease prevention is more economical than treatment. Probiotic bacteria, such as lactobacilli, are live microorganisms that exert beneficial effects on human health when ingested in sufficient amounts and can promote longevity. The significance of this study is that it revealed the antisenescence and various beneficial effects of the representative probiotic bacterium Lactococcus cremoris subsp. cremoris strain FC exerted via the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.
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The signaling pathway of levamisole-sensitive-acetylcholine receptors involved in short-term forgetting of Caenorhabditis elegans. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:1027-1038. [PMID: 35585325 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01901-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
In contrast to the popular opinion that forgetting is only the opposite of learning and memory, active forgetting explains the intrinsic instability of a labile memory that lasts for hours and has its own signal transduction pathways. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying forgetting are still lacking, though the investigations available in this field offer the first insights into their regulation. To identify the alternative signaling pathways that control the process of forgetting, we used the short-term forgetting model of Caenorhabditis elegans and discovered the involvement of lev-10, a scaffolded transmembrane protein of L-AChR, by screening the candidate genes that potentially functioned in synaptic plasticity. The LEV-9/LEV-10/L-AChR functional complex was confirmed to participate in forgetting occurrence. Furthermore, EGL-9 functioned upstream of LEV-10 and negatively regulated the latter during forgetting. Meanwhile, EGL-9 was also the target of miR-51, and hence the mutation of miR-51 similarly affected the function of L-AChR and delayed the short-term forgetting. Our findings have identified an integrated signaling pathway responsible for active forgetting, which provides the new experimental evidence on the cholinergic forgetting signal.
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Invited review: Unearthing the mechanisms of age-related neurodegenerative disease using Caenorhabditis elegans. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 267:111166. [PMID: 35176489 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As human life expectancy increases, neurodegenerative diseases present a growing public health threat, for which there are currently few effective treatments. There is an urgent need to understand the molecular and genetic underpinnings of these disorders so new therapeutic targets can be identified. Here we present the argument that the simple nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans is a powerful tool to rapidly study neurodegenerative disorders due to their short lifespan and vast array of genetic tools, which can be combined with characterization of conserved neuronal processes and behavior orthologous to those disrupted in human disease. We review how pre-existing C. elegans models provide insight into human neurological disease as well as an overview of current tools available to study neurodegenerative diseases in the worm, with an emphasis on genetics and behavior. We also discuss open questions that C. elegans may be particularly well suited for in future studies and how worms will be a valuable preclinical model to better understand these devastating neurological disorders.
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Fischer F, Grigolon G, Benner C, Ristow M. Evolutionarily conserved transcription factors as regulators of longevity and targets for geroprotection. Physiol Rev 2022; 102:1449-1494. [PMID: 35343830 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00017.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is the single largest risk factor for many debilitating conditions, including heart diseases, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. While far from understood in its full complexity, it is scientifically well-established that aging is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, and can be modulated by various interventions. One of aging's early hallmarks are aberrations in transcriptional networks, controlling for example metabolic homeostasis or the response to stress. Evidence in different model organisms abounds that a number of evolutionarily conserved transcription factors, which control such networks, can affect lifespan and healthspan across species. These transcription factors thus potentially represent conserved regulators of longevity and are emerging as important targets in the challenging quest to develop treatments to mitigate age-related diseases, and possibly even to slow aging itself. This review provides an overview of evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that impact longevity or age-related diseases in at least one multicellular model organism (nematodes, flies, or mice), and/or are tentatively linked to human aging. Discussed is the general evidence for transcriptional regulation of aging and disease, followed by a more detailed look at selected transcription factor families, the common metabolic pathways involved, and the targeting of transcription factors as a strategy for geroprotective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Fischer
- Energy Metabolism Laboratory, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna Grigolon
- Energy Metabolism Laboratory, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Benner
- Energy Metabolism Laboratory, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
| | - Michael Ristow
- Energy Metabolism Laboratory, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
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18
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Wodrich APK, Scott AW, Shukla AK, Harris BT, Giniger E. The Unfolded Protein Responses in Health, Aging, and Neurodegeneration: Recent Advances and Future Considerations. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:831116. [PMID: 35283733 PMCID: PMC8914544 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.831116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging and age-related neurodegeneration are both associated with the accumulation of unfolded and abnormally folded proteins, highlighting the importance of protein homeostasis (termed proteostasis) in maintaining organismal health. To this end, two cellular compartments with essential protein folding functions, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mitochondria, are equipped with unique protein stress responses, known as the ER unfolded protein response (UPRER) and the mitochondrial UPR (UPRmt), respectively. These organellar UPRs play roles in shaping the cellular responses to proteostatic stress that occurs in aging and age-related neurodegeneration. The loss of adaptive UPRER and UPRmt signaling potency with age contributes to a feed-forward cycle of increasing protein stress and cellular dysfunction. Likewise, UPRER and UPRmt signaling is often altered in age-related neurodegenerative diseases; however, whether these changes counteract or contribute to the disease pathology appears to be context dependent. Intriguingly, altering organellar UPR signaling in animal models can reduce the pathological consequences of aging and neurodegeneration which has prompted clinical investigations of UPR signaling modulators as therapeutics. Here, we review the physiology of both the UPRER and the UPRmt, discuss how UPRER and UPRmt signaling changes in the context of aging and neurodegeneration, and highlight therapeutic strategies targeting the UPRER and UPRmt that may improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P. K. Wodrich
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
- College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Andrew W. Scott
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Arvind Kumar Shukla
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Brent T. Harris
- Department of Pathology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Neurology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Edward Giniger
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Edward Giniger,
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19
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Mallick A, Jhaveri N, Jeon J, Chang Y, Shah K, Hosein H, Gupta BP. Genetic analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans pry-1/Axin suppressors identifies genes involved in reproductive structure development, stress responses, and aging. G3 GENES|GENOMES|GENETICS 2022; 12:6462200. [PMID: 35100345 PMCID: PMC9210326 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The Axin family of scaffolding proteins regulates a wide array of developmental and post-developmental processes in eukaryotes. Studies in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have shown that the Axin homolog PRY-1 plays essential roles in multiple tissues. To understand the genetic network of pry-1, we focused on a set of genes that are differentially expressed in the pry-1-mutant transcriptome and are linked to reproductive structure development. Knocking down eight of the genes (spp-1, clsp-1, ard-1, rpn-7, cpz-1, his-7, cdk-1, and rnr-1) via RNA interference efficiently suppressed the multivulva phenotype of pry-1 mutants. In all cases, the ectopic induction of P3.p vulval precursor cell was also inhibited. The suppressor genes are members of known gene families in eukaryotes and perform essential functions. Our genetic interaction experiments revealed that in addition to their role in vulval development, these genes participate in one or more pry-1-mediated biological events. Whereas four of them (cpz-1, his-7, cdk-1, and rnr-1) function in both stress response and aging, two (spp-1 and ard-1) are specific to stress response. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the important role of pry-1 suppressors in regulating developmental and post-developmental processes in C. elegans. Given that the genes described in this study are conserved, future investigations of their interactions with Axin and their functional specificity promises to uncover the genetic network of Axin in metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avijit Mallick
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Nikita Jhaveri
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Jihae Jeon
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Yvonne Chang
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Krupali Shah
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Hannah Hosein
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Bhagwati P Gupta
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S4K1, Canada
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20
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Zhang WH, Koyuncu S, Vilchez D. Insights Into the Links Between Proteostasis and Aging From C. elegans. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2022; 3:854157. [PMID: 35821832 PMCID: PMC9261386 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.854157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is maintained by a tightly regulated and interconnected network of biological pathways, preventing the accumulation and aggregation of damaged or misfolded proteins. Thus, the proteostasis network is essential to ensure organism longevity and health, while proteostasis failure contributes to the development of aging and age-related diseases that involve protein aggregation. The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans has proved invaluable for the study of proteostasis in the context of aging, longevity and disease, with a number of pivotal discoveries attributable to the use of this organism. In this review, we discuss prominent findings from C. elegans across the many key aspects of the proteostasis network, within the context of aging and disease. These studies collectively highlight numerous promising therapeutic targets, which may 1 day facilitate the development of interventions to delay aging and prevent age-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hongyu Zhang
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Seda Koyuncu
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - David Vilchez
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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21
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Lautens MJ, Tan JH, Serrat X, Del Borrello S, Schertzberg MR, Fraser AG. Identification of enzymes that have helminth-specific active sites and are required for Rhodoquinone-dependent metabolism as targets for new anthelmintics. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009991. [PMID: 34843467 PMCID: PMC8659336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil transmitted helminths (STHs) are major human pathogens that infect over a billion people. Resistance to current anthelmintics is rising and new drugs are needed. Here we combine multiple approaches to find druggable targets in the anaerobic metabolic pathways STHs need to survive in their mammalian host. These require rhodoquinone (RQ), an electron carrier used by STHs and not their hosts. We identified 25 genes predicted to act in RQ-dependent metabolism including sensing hypoxia and RQ synthesis and found 9 are required. Since all 9 have mammalian orthologues, we used comparative genomics and structural modeling to identify those with active sites that differ between host and parasite. Together, we found 4 genes that are required for RQ-dependent metabolism and have different active sites. Finding these high confidence targets can open up in silico screens to identify species selective inhibitors of these enzymes as new anthelmintics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot J. Lautens
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - June H. Tan
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xènia Serrat
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Andrew G. Fraser
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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22
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Omotoso O, Gladyshev VN, Zhou X. Lifespan Extension in Long-Lived Vertebrates Rooted in Ecological Adaptation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:704966. [PMID: 34733838 PMCID: PMC8558438 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.704966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Contemporary studies on aging and longevity have largely overlooked the role that adaptation plays in lifespan variation across species. Emerging evidence indicates that the genetic signals of extended lifespan may be maintained by natural selection, suggesting that longevity could be a product of organismal adaptation. The mechanisms of adaptation in long-lived animals are believed to account for the modification of physiological function. Here, we first review recent progress in comparative biology of long-lived animals, together with the emergence of adaptive genetic factors that control longevity and disease resistance. We then propose that hitchhiking of adaptive genetic changes is the basis for lifespan changes and suggest ways to test this evolutionary model. As individual adaptive or adaptation-linked mutations/substitutions generate specific forms of longevity effects, the cumulative beneficial effect is largely nonrandom and is indirectly favored by natural selection. We consider this concept in light of other proposed theories of aging and integrate these disparate ideas into an adaptive evolutionary model, highlighting strategies in decoding genetic factors of lifespan control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatunde Omotoso
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Vadim N Gladyshev
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Xuming Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Beijing, China
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23
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Wilson KA, Chamoli M, Hilsabeck TA, Pandey M, Bansal S, Chawla G, Kapahi P. Evaluating the beneficial effects of dietary restrictions: A framework for precision nutrigeroscience. Cell Metab 2021; 33:2142-2173. [PMID: 34555343 PMCID: PMC8845500 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dietary restriction (DR) has long been viewed as the most robust nongenetic means to extend lifespan and healthspan. Many aging-associated mechanisms are nutrient responsive, but despite the ubiquitous functions of these pathways, the benefits of DR often vary among individuals and even among tissues within an individual, challenging the aging research field. Furthermore, it is often assumed that lifespan interventions like DR will also extend healthspan, which is thus often ignored in aging studies. In this review, we provide an overview of DR as an intervention and discuss the mechanisms by which it affects lifespan and various healthspan measures. We also review studies that demonstrate exceptions to the standing paradigm of DR being beneficial, thus raising new questions that future studies must address. We detail critical factors for the proposed field of precision nutrigeroscience, which would utilize individualized treatments and predict outcomes using biomarkers based on genotype, sex, tissue, and age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manish Chamoli
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA 94945, USA
| | - Tyler A Hilsabeck
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA 94945, USA; Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Manish Pandey
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India
| | - Sakshi Bansal
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India
| | - Geetanjali Chawla
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana 121001, India.
| | - Pankaj Kapahi
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA 94945, USA; Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in aging and longevity: An overview. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 71:101443. [PMID: 34390849 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) belong to serine/threonine kinases family, regulated by ∼21 kDa small signaling G proteins RAC1 and CDC42. The mammalian PAK family comprises six members (PAK1-6) that are classified into two groups (I and II) based on their domain architecture and regulatory mechanisms. PAKs are implicated in a wide range of cellular functions. PAK1 has recently attracted increasing attention owing to its involvement in oncogenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis as well as several life-limiting diseases and pathological conditions. In Caenorhabditis elegans, PAK1 functions limit the lifespan under basal conditions by inhibiting forkhead transcription factor DAF-16. Interestingly, PAK depletion extended longevity and attenuated the onset of age-related phenotypes in a premature-aging mouse model and delayed senescence in mammalian fibroblasts. These observations implicate PAKs as not only oncogenic but also aging kinases. Therefore, PAK-targeting genetic and/or pharmacological interventions, particularly PAK1-targeting, could be a viable strategy for developing cancer therapies with relatively no side effects and promoting healthy longevity. This review describes PAK family proteins, their biological functions, and their role in regulating aging and longevity using C. elegans. Moreover, we discuss the effect of small-molecule PAK1 inhibitors on the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans.
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Scharf A, Pohl F, Egan BM, Kocsisova Z, Kornfeld K. Reproductive Aging in Caenorhabditis elegans: From Molecules to Ecology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:718522. [PMID: 34604218 PMCID: PMC8481778 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.718522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging animals display a broad range of progressive degenerative changes, and one of the most fascinating is the decline of female reproductive function. In the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, hermaphrodites reach a peak of progeny production on day 2 of adulthood and then display a rapid decline; progeny production typically ends by day 8 of adulthood. Since animals typically survive until day 15 of adulthood, there is a substantial post reproductive lifespan. Here we review the molecular and cellular changes that occur during reproductive aging, including reductions in stem cell number and activity, slowing meiotic progression, diminished Notch signaling, and deterioration of germ line and oocyte morphology. Several interventions have been identified that delay reproductive aging, including mutations, drugs and environmental factors such as temperature. The detailed description of reproductive aging coupled with interventions that delay this process have made C. elegans a leading model system to understand the mechanisms that drive reproductive aging. While reproductive aging has dramatic consequences for individual fertility, it also has consequences for the ecology of the population. Population dynamics are driven by birth and death, and reproductive aging is one important factor that influences birth rate. A variety of theories have been advanced to explain why reproductive aging occurs and how it has been sculpted during evolution. Here we summarize these theories and discuss the utility of C. elegans for testing mechanistic and evolutionary models of reproductive aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Scharf
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Franziska Pohl
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Brian M Egan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Zuzana Kocsisova
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Kerry Kornfeld
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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26
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Uddin MS, Yu WS, Lim LW. Exploring ER stress response in cellular aging and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 70:101417. [PMID: 34339860 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
One evident hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the irregular accumulation of proteins due to changes in proteostasis involving endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. To alleviate ER stress and reinstate proteostasis, cells undergo an integrated signaling cascade called the unfolded protein response (UPR) that reduces the number of misfolded proteins and inhibits abnormal protein accumulation. Aging is associated with changes in the expression of ER chaperones and folding enzymes, leading to the impairment of proteostasis, and accumulation of misfolded proteins. The disrupted initiation of UPR prevents the elimination of unfolded proteins, leading to ER stress. In AD, the accumulation of misfolded proteins caused by sustained cellular stress leads to neurodegeneration and neuronal death. Current research has revealed that ER stress can trigger an inflammatory response through diverse transducers of UPR. Although the involvement of a neuroinflammatory component in AD has been documented for decades, whether it is a contributing factor or part of the neurodegenerative events is so far unknown. Besides, a feedback loop occurs between neuroinflammation and ER stress, which is strongly associated with neurodegenerative processes in AD. In this review, we focus on the current research on ER stress and UPR in cellular aging and neuroinflammatory processes, leading to memory impairment and synapse dysfunction in AD.
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Hoong CWS, Chua MWJ. SGLT2 Inhibitors as Calorie Restriction Mimetics: Insights on Longevity Pathways and Age-Related Diseases. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6226811. [PMID: 33857309 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors induce glycosuria, reduce insulin levels, and promote fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. By promoting a nutrient deprivation state, SGLT2 inhibitors upregulate the energy deprivation sensors AMPK and SIRT1, inhibit the nutrient sensors mTOR and insulin/IGF1, and modulate the closely linked hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2α/HIF-1α pathways. Phosphorylation of AMPK and upregulation of adiponectin and PPAR-α favor a reversal of the metabolic syndrome which have been linked to suppression of chronic inflammation. Downregulation of insulin/IGF1 pathways and mTOR signaling from a reduction in glucose and circulating amino acids promote cellular repair mechanisms, including autophagy and proteostasis which confer cellular stress resistance and attenuate cellular senescence. SIRT1, another energy sensor activated by NAD+ in nutrient-deficient states, is reciprocally activated by AMPK, and can deacetylate and activate transcription factors, such as PCG-1α, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and nuclear factor E2-related factor (NRF)-2, that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. FOXO3 transcription factor which target genes in stress resistance, is also activated by AMPK and SIRT1. Modulation of these pathways by SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to alleviate metabolic diseases, attenuate vascular inflammation and arterial stiffness, improve mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress-induced tissue damage. Compared with other calorie restriction mimetics such as metformin, rapamycin, resveratrol, and NAD+ precursors, SGLT2 inhibitors appear to be the most promising in the treatment of aging-related diseases, due to their regulation of multiple longevity pathways that closely resembles that achieved by calorie restriction and their established efficacy in reducing cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Evidence is compelling for the role of SGLT2 inhibitors as a calorie restriction mimetic in anti-aging therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline W S Hoong
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of General Medicine, Woodlands Health Campus, National Healthcare Group Singapore, Woodlands Health Campus Singapore, 768024, Singapore
| | - Marvin W J Chua
- Endocrinology Service, Department of General Medicine, Sengkang General Hospital, SingHealth Group Singapore, Sengkang General Hospital Singapore, 544886, Singapore
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28
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Feng D, Zhai Z, Shao Z, Zhang Y, Powell-Coffman JA. Crosstalk in oxygen homeostasis networks: SKN-1/NRF inhibits the HIF-1 hypoxia-inducible factor in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249103. [PMID: 34242227 PMCID: PMC8270126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, homeostasis, and disease, organisms must balance responses that allow adaptation to low oxygen (hypoxia) with those that protect cells from oxidative stress. The evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible factors are central to these processes, as they orchestrate transcriptional responses to oxygen deprivation. Here, we employ genetic strategies in C. elegans to identify stress-responsive genes and pathways that modulate the HIF-1 hypoxia-inducible factor and facilitate oxygen homeostasis. Through a genome-wide RNAi screen, we show that RNAi-mediated mitochondrial or proteasomal dysfunction increases the expression of hypoxia-responsive reporter Pnhr-57::GFP in C. elegans. Interestingly, only a subset of these effects requires hif-1. Of particular importance, we found that skn-1 RNAi increases the expression of hypoxia-responsive reporter Pnhr-57::GFP and elevates HIF-1 protein levels. The SKN-1/NRF transcription factor has been shown to promote oxidative stress resistance. We present evidence that the crosstalk between HIF-1 and SKN-1 is mediated by EGL-9, the prolyl hydroxylase that targets HIF-1 for oxygen-dependent degradation. Treatment that induces SKN-1, such as heat or gsk-3 RNAi, increases expression of a Pegl-9::GFP reporter, and this effect requires skn-1 function and a putative SKN-1 binding site in egl-9 regulatory sequences. Collectively, these data support a model in which SKN-1 promotes egl-9 transcription, thereby inhibiting HIF-1. We propose that this interaction enables animals to adapt quickly to changes in cellular oxygenation and to better survive accompanying oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingxia Feng
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Zhiwei Zhai
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Zhiyong Shao
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jo Anne Powell-Coffman
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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Dixit A, Bhattacharya B. Sensory perception of environmental cues as a modulator of aging and neurodegeneration: Insights from Caenorhabditis elegans. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:2416-2426. [PMID: 34232538 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Environmental stimuli such as temperature, food, and smell significantly influence the physiology and behavior of animals. Animals are differentially adapted to maintain their internal body functions in response to varied environmental conditions. These external cues are sensed by specialized neurons which are a part of the chemosensory and thermosensory systems. The inability to respond correctly to varied environmental conditions may result in compromised bodily functions and reduced longevity. For example, the ability to sense food is derived from the integrated action of olfactory and gustatory systems. The damage to the olfactory system will affect our decision of palatable food items which in turn can affect the response of the gustatory system, ultimately causing abnormal feeding habits. Recent studies have provided evidence that aging is regulated by sensory perception of environment. Aging is one of the most common causes of various neurodegenerative diseases and the perception of environmental cues is also found to regulate the development of neurodegenerative phenotype in several animal models. However, specific molecular signaling pathways involved in the process are not completely understood. The research conducted on one of the best-studied animal models of aging, Caenorhabditis elegans, has demonstrated multiple examples of gene-environment interaction at the neuronal level which affects life span. The findings may be useful to identify the key neuronal regulators of aging and age-related diseases in humans owing to conserved core metabolic and aging pathways from worms to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anubhuti Dixit
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Bidisha Bhattacharya
- Amity Institute of Neuropsychology and Neurosciences, Amity University, Noida, India
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Skeletal Muscle Gene Expression Profile in Response to Caloric Restriction and Aging: A Role for SirT1. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050691. [PMID: 34063079 PMCID: PMC8147962 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SirT1 plays a crucial role in the regulation of some of the caloric restriction (CR) responsive biological pathways. Aging suppresses SirT1 gene expression in skeletal muscle, suggesting that aging may affect the role of CR in muscle. To determine the role of SirT1 in the regulation of CR regulated pathways in skeletal muscle, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing using total RNA isolated from the skeletal muscles of young and aged wild-type (WT), SirT1 knockout (SirT1-KO), and SirT1 overexpression (SirT1-OE) mice fed to 20 wk ad libitum (AL) or 40% CR diet. Our data show that aging repressed the global gene expression profile, which was restored by CR via upregulating transcriptional and translational process-related pathways. CR inhibits pathways linked to the extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal proteins regardless of aging. Mitochondrial function and muscle contraction-related pathways are upregulated in aged SirT1 KO mice following CR. SirT1 OE did not affect whole-body energy expenditure or augment skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity associated pathways, regardless of aging or diet. Overall, our RNA-seq data showed that SirT1 and CR have different functions and activation of SirT1 by its activator or exercise may enhance SirT1 activity that, along with CR, likely have a better functional role in aging muscle.
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31
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Lee SK. Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis and Stress Responses in Caenorhabditis elegans. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 59:279-303. [PMID: 34050871 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-67696-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an evolutionarily conserved adaptive regulatory pathway that alleviates protein-folding defects in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Physiological demands, environmental perturbations and pathological conditions can cause accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER and the stress signal is transmitted to the nucleus to turn on a series of genes to respond the challenge. In metazoan, the UPR pathways consisted of IRE1/XBP1, PEK-1 and ATF6, which function in parallel and downstream transcriptional activation triggers the proteostasis networks consisting of molecular chaperones, protein degradation machinery and other stress response pathways ((Labbadia J, Morimoto RI, F1000Prime Rep 6:7, 2014); (Shen X, Ellis RE, Lee K, Annu Rev Biochem 28:893-903, 2014)). The integrated responses act on to resolve the ER stress by increasing protein folding capacity, attenuating ER-loading translation, activating ER-associated proteasomal degradation (ERAD), and regulating IRE1-dependent decay of mRNA (RIDD). Therefore, the effective UPR to internal and external causes is linked to the multiple pathophysiological conditions such as aging, immunity, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent development in the research of the UPR includes cell-nonautonomous features of the UPR, interplay between the UPR and other stress response pathways, unconventional UPR inducers, and noncanonical UPR independent of the three major branches, originated from multiple cellular and molecular machineries in addition to ER. Caenorhabditis elegans model system has critically contributed to these unprecedented aspects of the ER UPR and broadens the possible therapeutic targets to treat the ER-stress associated human disorders and time-dependent physiological deterioration of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Kyung Lee
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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32
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BRAF Controls the Effects of Metformin on Neuroblast Cell Divisions in C. elegans. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010178. [PMID: 33375360 PMCID: PMC7795703 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin has demonstrated substantial potential for use in cancer treatments. Liver kinase B (LKB)-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mTOR are reported to be the main targets of metformin in relation to its ability to prevent cancer cell proliferation. However, the role of metformin in the control of neoplastic cancer cell growth is possibly independent of LKB-AMPK and mTOR. Using C. elegans as a model, we found that the neuronal Q-cell divisions in L1-arrested worms were suppressed following metformin treatment in AMPK-deficient mutants, suggesting that the mechanism by which metformin suppresses these cell divisions is independent of AMPK. Our results showed that the mTOR pathway indeed played a role in controlling germ cell proliferation, but it was not involved in the neuronal Q-cell divisions occurring in L1-arrested worms. We found that the neuronal Q-cells divisions were held at G1/S cell stage by metformin in vivo. Additionally, we demonstrated that metformin could reduce the phosphorylation activity of BRAF and block the BRAF-MAPK oncogenesis pathway to regulate neuronal Q-cell divisions during L1 arrest. This work discloses a new mechanism by which metformin treatment acts to promote neuronal cancer prevention, and these results will help promote the study of the anticancer mechanisms underlying metformin treatments.
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33
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Still Living Better through Chemistry: An Update on Caloric Restriction and Caloric Restriction Mimetics as Tools to Promote Health and Lifespan. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239220. [PMID: 33287232 PMCID: PMC7729921 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Caloric restriction (CR), the reduction of caloric intake without inducing malnutrition, is the most reproducible method of extending health and lifespan across numerous organisms, including humans. However, with nearly one-third of the world’s population overweight, it is obvious that caloric restriction approaches are difficult for individuals to achieve. Therefore, identifying compounds that mimic CR is desirable to promote longer, healthier lifespans without the rigors of restricting diet. Many compounds, such as rapamycin (and its derivatives), metformin, or other naturally occurring products in our diets (nutraceuticals), induce CR-like states in laboratory models. An alternative to CR is the removal of specific elements (such as individual amino acids) from the diet. Despite our increasing knowledge of the multitude of CR approaches and CR mimetics, the extent to which these strategies overlap mechanistically remains unclear. Here we provide an update of CR and CR mimetic research, summarizing mechanisms by which these strategies influence genome function required to treat age-related pathologies and identify the molecular fountain of youth.
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Goyala A, Baruah A, Mukhopadhyay A. The genetic paradigms of dietary restriction fail to extend life span in cep-1(gk138) mutant of C. elegans p53 due to possible background mutations. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241478. [PMID: 33180887 PMCID: PMC7660490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary restriction (DR) increases life span and improves health in most model systems tested, including non-human primates. In C. elegans, as in other models, DR leads to reprogramming of metabolism, improvements in mitochondrial health, large changes in expression of cytoprotective genes and better proteostasis. Understandably, multiple global transcriptional regulators like transcription factors FOXO/DAF-16, FOXA/PHA-4, HSF1/HSF-1 and NRF2/SKN-1 are important for DR longevity. Considering the wide-ranging effects of p53 on organismal biology, we asked whether the C. elegans ortholog, CEP-1 is required for DR-mediated longevity assurance. We employed the widely-used TJ1 strain of cep-1(gk138). We show that cep-1(gk138) suppresses the life span extension of two genetic paradigms of DR, but two non-genetic modes of DR remain unaffected in this strain. We find that two aspects of DR, increased autophagy and up-regulation of the expression of cytoprotective xenobiotic detoxification program (cXDP) genes, are dampened in cep-1(gk138). Importantly, we find that background mutation(s) in the strain may be the actual cause for the phenotypic differences that we observed and cep-1 may not be directly involved in genetic DR-mediated longevity assurance in worms. Identifying these mutation(s) may reveal a novel regulator of longevity required specifically by genetic modes of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Goyala
- Molecular Aging Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Aiswarya Baruah
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam
| | - Arnab Mukhopadhyay
- Molecular Aging Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
- * E-mail:
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35
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Taylor RC, Hetz C. Mastering organismal aging through the endoplasmic reticulum proteostasis network. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13265. [PMID: 33128506 PMCID: PMC7681052 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aging process is characterized by a progressive decline in the function of most tissues, representing the main risk factor in the development of a variety of human diseases. Studies in multiple animal models have demonstrated that interventions that improve the capacity to maintain endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteostasis prolong life and healthspan. ER stress is monitored by the unfolded protein response (UPR), a signaling pathway that mediates adaptive processes to restore proteostasis or the elimination of damaged cells by apoptosis. Here, we discuss recent advances in understanding the significance of the UPR to aging and its implications for the maintenance of cell physiology of various cell types and organs. The possible benefits of targeting the UPR to extend healthspan and reduce the risk of developing age-related diseases are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudio Hetz
- Center for GeroscienceBrain Health and MetabolismSantiagoChile
- Biomedical Neuroscience InstituteFaculty of MedicineUniversity of ChileSantiagoChile
- Program of Cellular and Molecular BiologyInstitute of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of ChileSantiagoChile
- Buck Institute for Research on AgingNovatoCAUSA
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36
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Bjedov I, Rallis C. The Target of Rapamycin Signalling Pathway in Ageing and Lifespan Regulation. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E1043. [PMID: 32899412 PMCID: PMC7565554 DOI: 10.3390/genes11091043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ageing is a complex trait controlled by genes and the environment. The highly conserved mechanistic target of rapamycin signalling pathway (mTOR) is a major regulator of lifespan in all eukaryotes and is thought to be mediating some of the effects of dietary restriction. mTOR is a rheostat of energy sensing diverse inputs such as amino acids, oxygen, hormones, and stress and regulates lifespan by tuning cellular functions such as gene expression, ribosome biogenesis, proteostasis, and mitochondrial metabolism. Deregulation of the mTOR signalling pathway is implicated in multiple age-related diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and auto-immunity. In this review, we briefly summarise some of the workings of mTOR in lifespan and ageing through the processes of transcription, translation, autophagy, and metabolism. A good understanding of the pathway's outputs and connectivity is paramount towards our ability for genetic and pharmacological interventions for healthy ageing and amelioration of age-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Bjedov
- UCL Cancer Institute, Paul O’Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Charalampos Rallis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
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37
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Lan J, Rollins JA, Zang X, Wu D, Zou L, Wang Z, Ye C, Wu Z, Kapahi P, Rogers AN, Chen D. Translational Regulation of Non-autonomous Mitochondrial Stress Response Promotes Longevity. Cell Rep 2020; 28:1050-1062.e6. [PMID: 31340143 PMCID: PMC6684276 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Reduced mRNA translation delays aging, but the underlying mechanisms remain underexplored. Mutations in both DAF-2 (IGF-1 receptor) and RSKS-1 (ribosomal S6 kinase/S6K) cause synergistic lifespan extension in C. elegans. To understand the roles of translational regulation in this process, we performed polysomal profiling and identified translationally regulated ribosomal and cytochrome c (CYC-2.1) genes as key mediators of longevity. cyc-2.1 knockdown significantly extends lifespan by activating the intestinal mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), mitochondrial fission, and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). The germline serves as the key tissue for cyc-2.1 to regulate lifespan, and germline-specific cyc-2.1 knockdown non-autonomously activates intestinal UPRmt and AMPK. Furthermore, the RNA-binding protein GLD-1-mediated translational repression of cyc-2.1 in the germline is important for the non-autonomous activation of UPRmt and synergistic longevity of the daf-2 rsks-1 mutant. Altogether, these results illustrate a translationally regulated non-autonomous mitochondrial stress response mechanism in the modulation of lifespan by insulin-like signaling and S6K. To understand how reduced translation delays aging, Lan et al. perform translational profiling in C. elegans and propose that, in the significantly long-lived daf-2 rsks-1 mutant, serial translational regulation leads to reduced cytochrome c in the germline, which non-autonomously activates UPRmt and AMPK in the metabolic tissue to ensure longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Rd, Pukou, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061, China
| | - Jarod A Rollins
- MDI Biological Laboratory, 159 Old Bar Harbor Rd., Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA
| | - Xiao Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Rd, Pukou, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061, China
| | - Di Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Rd, Pukou, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061, China
| | - Lina Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Rd, Pukou, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061, China
| | - Zi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Rd, Pukou, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061, China
| | - Chang Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Rd, Pukou, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061, China
| | - Zixing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Rd, Pukou, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061, China
| | - Pankaj Kapahi
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945, USA.
| | - Aric N Rogers
- MDI Biological Laboratory, 159 Old Bar Harbor Rd., Salisbury Cove, ME 04672, USA.
| | - Di Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Rd, Pukou, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061, China.
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38
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Hearn J, Clark J, Wilson PJ, Little TJ. Daphnia magna modifies its gene expression extensively in response to caloric restriction revealing a novel effect on haemoglobin isoform preference. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:3261-3276. [PMID: 32687619 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Caloric restriction (CR) produces clear phenotypic effects within and between generations of the model crustacean Daphnia magna. We have previously established that micro-RNAs and cytosine methylation change in response to CR in this organism, and we demonstrate here that CR has a dramatic effect on gene expression. Over 6,000 genes were differentially expressed between CR and well-fed D. magna, with a bias towards up-regulation of genes under caloric restriction. We identified a highly expressed haemoglobin gene that responds to CR by changing isoform proportions. Specifically, a transcript containing three haem-binding erythrocruorin domains was strongly down-regulated under CR in favour of transcripts containing fewer or no such domains. This change in the haemoglobin mix is similar to the response to hypoxia in Daphnia, which is mediated through the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1, and ultimately the mTOR signalling pathway. This is the first report of a role for haemoglobin in the response to CR. We also observed high absolute expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in normally fed individuals, which contrasts with observations of high SOD levels under CR in other taxa. However, key differentially expressed genes, like SOD, were not targeted by differentially expressed micro-RNAs. Whether the link between haemoglobin and CR occurs in other organisms, or is related to the aquatic lifestyle, remains to be tested. It suggests that one response to CR may be to simply transport less oxygen and lower respiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Hearn
- Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jessica Clark
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Philip J Wilson
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tom J Little
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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39
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Baik AH, Jain IH. Turning the Oxygen Dial: Balancing the Highs and Lows. Trends Cell Biol 2020; 30:516-536. [PMID: 32386878 PMCID: PMC7391449 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen is both vital and toxic to life. Molecular oxygen is the most used substrate in the human body and is required for several hundred diverse biochemical reactions. The discovery of the PHD-HIF-pVHL system revolutionized our fundamental understanding of oxygen sensing and cellular adaptations to hypoxia. It deepened our knowledge of the biochemical underpinnings of numerous diseases, ranging from anemia to cancer. Cellular dysfunction and tissue pathology can result from a mismatch of oxygen supply and demand. Recent work has shown that mitochondrial disease models display tissue hyperoxia and that disease pathology can be reversed by normalization of excess oxygen, suggesting that certain disease states can potentially be treated by modulating oxygen levels. In this review, we describe cellular and organismal mechanisms of oxygen sensing and adaptation. We provide a revitalized framework for understanding pathologies of too little or too much oxygen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan H Baik
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
| | - Isha H Jain
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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40
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Kruempel JCP, Miller HA, Schaller ML, Fretz A, Howington M, Sarker M, Huang S, Leiser SF. Hypoxic response regulators RHY-1 and EGL-9/PHD promote longevity through a VHL-1-independent transcriptional response. GeroScience 2020; 42:1621-1633. [PMID: 32399915 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00194-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
HIF-1-mediated adaptation to changes in oxygen availability is a critical aspect of healthy physiology. HIF is regulated by a conserved mechanism whereby EGLN/PHD family members hydroxylate HIF in an oxygen-dependent manner, targeting it for ubiquitination by Von-Hippel-Lindau (VHL) family members, leading to its proteasomal degradation. The activity of the only C. elegans PHD family member, EGL-9, is also regulated by a hydrogen sulfide sensing cysteine-synthetase-like protein, CYSL-1, which is, in turn, regulated by RHY-1/acyltransferase. Over the last decade, multiple seminal studies have established a role for the hypoxic response in regulating longevity, with mutations in vhl-1 substantially extending C. elegans lifespan through a HIF-1-dependent mechanism. However, studies on other components of the hypoxic signaling pathway that similarly stabilize HIF-1 have shown more mixed results, suggesting that mutations in egl-9 and rhy-1 frequently fail to extend lifespan. Here, we show that egl-9 and rhy-1 mutants suppress the long-lived phenotype of vhl-1 mutants. We also show that RNAi of rhy-1 extends lifespan of wild-type worms while decreasing lifespan of vhl-1 mutant worms. We further identify VHL-1-independent gene expression changes mediated by EGL-9 and RHY-1 and find that a subset of these genes contributes to longevity regulation. The resulting data suggest that changes in HIF-1 activity derived by interactions with EGL-9 likely contribute greatly to its role in regulation of longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C P Kruempel
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Hillary A Miller
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Megan L Schaller
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Abrielle Fretz
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Marshall Howington
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Marjana Sarker
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Shijiao Huang
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Scott F Leiser
- Molecular & Integrative Physiology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. .,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
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41
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Wang XX, Geng SL, Zhang XS, Xu WH. P-S6K is associated with insect diapause via the ROS/AKT/ S6K/CREB/HIF-1 pathway in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 120:103262. [PMID: 32088323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2019.103262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Diapause is a complex physiological response that allows insects to survive unfavorable environmental conditions, and many signaling pathways participate in regulating this process. However, little is known about TOR signaling in the regulation of diapause. In this study, we found that the TOR pathway-related proteins TOR and Raptor are expressed at low levels in the brains of diapause-destined pupae of Helicoverpa armigera, consistent with a previous report that TOR signaling is associated with development. Interestingly, another TOR signaling-related protein, p-S6K, was increased in the brains of diapause-destined pupae. Our results showed that p-S6K in the brains of diapause-destined pupae can respond to the upstream signals reactive oxygen species (ROS) and AKT and that S6K activates the level of CREB, which binds to the HIF-1α promoter and increases its expression. Previous study has shown that HIF-1α levels elevated by ROS in the brains of diapause-destined pupae cause low mitochondrial activity for insect diapause. Thus, p-S6K in response to ROS/AKT regulates HIF-1α via activating transcription factor CREB for diapause initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Xue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shao-Lei Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Shuai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wei-Hua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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42
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Mechanisms of Lifespan Regulation by Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting in Model Organisms. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12041194. [PMID: 32344591 PMCID: PMC7230387 DOI: 10.3390/nu12041194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and pharmacological interventions have successfully extended healthspan and lifespan in animals, but their genetic interventions are not appropriate options for human applications and pharmacological intervention needs more solid clinical evidence. Consequently, dietary manipulations are the only practical and probable strategies to promote health and longevity in humans. Caloric restriction (CR), reduction of calorie intake to a level that does not compromise overall health, has been considered as being one of the most promising dietary interventions to extend lifespan in humans. Although it is straightforward, continuous reduction of calorie or food intake is not easy to practice in real lives of humans. Recently, fasting-related interventions such as intermittent fasting (IF) and time-restricted feeding (TRF) have emerged as alternatives of CR. Here, we review the history of CR and fasting-related strategies in animal models, discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying these interventions, and propose future directions that can fill the missing gaps in the current understanding of these dietary interventions. CR and fasting appear to extend lifespan by both partially overlapping common mechanisms such as the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway and circadian clock, and distinct independent mechanisms that remain to be discovered. We propose that a systems approach combining global transcriptomic, metabolomic, and proteomic analyses followed by genetic perturbation studies targeting multiple candidate pathways will allow us to better understand how CR and fasting interact with each other to promote longevity.
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43
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Liu W, Lin H, Mao Z, Zhang L, Bao K, Jiang B, Xia C, Li W, Hu Z, Li J. Verapamil extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans by inhibiting calcineurin activity and promoting autophagy. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:5300-5317. [PMID: 32208362 PMCID: PMC7138547 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Previous evidence has revealed that increase in intracellular levels of calcium promotes cellular senescence. However, whether calcium channel blockers (CCBs) can slow aging and extend lifespan is still unknown. In this study, we showed that verapamil, an L-type calcium channel blocker, extended the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) lifespan and delayed senescence in human lung fibroblasts. Verapamil treatment also improved healthspan in C. elegans as reflected by several age-related physiological parameters, including locomotion, thrashing, age-associated vulval integrity, and osmotic stress resistance. We also found that verapamil acted on the α1 subunit of an L-type calcium channel in C. elegans. Moreover, verapamil extended worm lifespan by inhibiting calcineurin activity. Furthermore, verapamil significantly promoted autophagy as reflected by the expression levels of LGG-1/LC3 and the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes. In addition, verapamil could not further induce autophagy when tax-6, calcineurin gene, was knocked down, indicating that verapamil-induced lifespan extension is mediated via promoting autophagy processes downstream of calcineurin. In summary, our study provided mechanistic insights into the anti-aging effect of verapamil in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiling Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhifan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Lanxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Keting Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bei Jiang
- Institute of Materia Medica, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Conglong Xia
- College of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zelan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.,College of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Dali University, Dali, China
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44
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Blackwell TK, Sewell AK, Wu Z, Han M. TOR Signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans Development, Metabolism, and Aging. Genetics 2019; 213:329-360. [PMID: 31594908 PMCID: PMC6781902 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Target of Rapamycin (TOR or mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, development, and behaviors by modulating protein synthesis, autophagy, and multiple other cellular processes in response to changes in nutrients and other cues. Over recent years, TOR has been studied intensively in mammalian cell culture and genetic systems because of its importance in growth, metabolism, cancer, and aging. Through its advantages for unbiased, and high-throughput, genetic and in vivo studies, Caenorhabditis elegans has made major contributions to our understanding of TOR biology. Genetic analyses in the worm have revealed unexpected aspects of TOR functions and regulation, and have the potential to further expand our understanding of how growth and metabolic regulation influence development. In the aging field, C. elegans has played a leading role in revealing the promise of TOR inhibition as a strategy for extending life span, and identifying mechanisms that function upstream and downstream of TOR to influence aging. Here, we review the state of the TOR field in C. elegans, and focus on what we have learned about its functions in development, metabolism, and aging. We discuss knowledge gaps, including the potential pitfalls in translating findings back and forth across organisms, but also describe how TOR is important for C. elegans biology, and how C. elegans work has developed paradigms of great importance for the broader TOR field.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Keith Blackwell
- Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Aileen K Sewell
- Department of MCDB, University of Colorado at Boulder, and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Ziyun Wu
- Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center, Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Min Han
- Department of MCDB, University of Colorado at Boulder, and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boulder, Colorado
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45
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Constitutive XBP-1s-mediated activation of the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response protects against pathological tau. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4443. [PMID: 31570707 PMCID: PMC6768869 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12070-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To endure over the organismal lifespan, neurons utilize multiple strategies to achieve protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Some homeostatic mechanisms act in a subcellular compartment-specific manner, but others exhibit trans-compartmental mechanisms of proteostasis. To identify pathways protecting neurons from pathological tau protein, we employed a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model of human tauopathy exhibiting proteostatic disruption. We show normal functioning of the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response (UPRER) promotes clearance of pathological tau, and loss of the three UPRER branches differentially affects tauopathy phenotypes. Loss of function of xbp-1 and atf-6 genes, the two main UPRER transcription factors, exacerbates tau toxicity. Furthermore, constitutive activation of master transcription factor XBP-1 ameliorates tauopathy phenotypes. However, both ATF6 and PERK branches of the UPRER participate in amelioration of tauopathy by constitutively active XBP-1, possibly through endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD). Understanding how the UPRER modulates pathological tau accumulation will inform neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.
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46
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Identification and Application of Gene Expression Signatures Associated with Lifespan Extension. Cell Metab 2019; 30:573-593.e8. [PMID: 31353263 PMCID: PMC6907080 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Several pharmacological, dietary, and genetic interventions that increase mammalian lifespan are known, but general principles of lifespan extension remain unclear. Here, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of mice subjected to 8 longevity interventions. We discovered a feminizing effect associated with growth hormone regulation and diminution of sex-related differences. Expanding this analysis to 17 interventions with public data, we observed that many interventions induced similar gene expression changes. We identified hepatic gene signatures associated with lifespan extension across interventions, including upregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and drug metabolism, and showed that perturbed pathways may be shared across tissues. We further applied the discovered longevity signatures to identify new lifespan-extending candidates, such as chronic hypoxia, KU-0063794, and ascorbyl-palmitate. Finally, we developed GENtervention, an app that visualizes associations between gene expression changes and longevity. Overall, this study describes general and specific transcriptomic programs of lifespan extension in mice and provides tools to discover new interventions.
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47
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Dietary restriction improves proteostasis and increases life span through endoplasmic reticulum hormesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:17383-17392. [PMID: 31413197 PMCID: PMC6717303 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1900055116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) deteriorates with age and fails to mount an effective stress response against misfolded proteins (UPRER), leading to protein folding disorders. However, preconditioning the ER using a mild ER stress (ER hormesis) can protect against future insults. We show that dietary restriction, an intervention that protects against protein misfolding disorders and increases life span across species, uses ER hormesis as a mechanism of action. Simply mimicking the ER hormesis in Caenorhabditis elegans by transient treatment with pharmacological reagents leads to delayed age-onset failure of UPRER, better capacity to process misfolded proteins, and increased life span. We also show that this process may be conserved in a mammalian cellular model of neurodegenerative disease. Unfolded protein response (UPR) of the endoplasmic reticulum (UPRER) helps maintain proteostasis in the cell. The ability to mount an effective UPRER to external stress (iUPRER) decreases with age and is linked to the pathophysiology of multiple age-related disorders. Here, we show that a transient pharmacological ER stress, imposed early in development on Caenorhabditis elegans, enhances proteostasis, prevents iUPRER decline with age, and increases adult life span. Importantly, dietary restriction (DR), that has a conserved positive effect on life span, employs this mechanism of ER hormesis for longevity assurance. We found that only the IRE-1–XBP-1 branch of UPRER is required for the longevity effects, resulting in increased ER-associated degradation (ERAD) gene expression and degradation of ER resident proteins during DR. Further, both ER hormesis and DR protect against polyglutamine aggregation in an IRE-1–dependent manner. We show that the DR-specific FOXA transcription factor PHA-4 transcriptionally regulates the genes required for ER homeostasis and is required for ER preconditioning-induced life span extension. Finally, we show that ER hormesis improves proteostasis and viability in a mammalian cellular model of neurodegenerative disease. Together, our study identifies a mechanism by which DR offers its benefits and opens the possibility of using ER-targeted pharmacological interventions to mimic the prolongevity effects of DR.
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48
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Rollins JA, Shaffer D, Snow SS, Kapahi P, Rogers AN. Dietary restriction induces posttranscriptional regulation of longevity genes. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/4/e201800281. [PMID: 31253655 PMCID: PMC6600014 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary restriction (DR) increases life span through adaptive changes in gene expression. To understand more about these changes, we analyzed the transcriptome and translatome of Caenorhabditis elegans subjected to DR. Transcription of muscle regulatory and structural genes increased, whereas increased expression of amino acid metabolism and neuropeptide signaling genes was controlled at the level of translation. Evaluation of posttranscriptional regulation identified putative roles for RNA-binding proteins, RNA editing, miRNA, alternative splicing, and nonsense-mediated decay in response to nutrient limitation. Using RNA interference, we discovered several differentially expressed genes that regulate life span. We also found a compensatory role for translational regulation, which offsets dampened expression of a large subset of transcriptionally down-regulated genes. Furthermore, 3' UTR editing and intron retention increase under DR and correlate with diminished translation, whereas trans-spliced genes are refractory to reduced translation efficiency compared with messages with the native 5' UTR. Finally, we find that smg-6 and smg-7, which are genes governing selection and turnover of nonsense-mediated decay targets, are required for increased life span under DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarod A Rollins
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, ME, USA
| | - Dan Shaffer
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, ME, USA
| | - Santina S Snow
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, ME, USA
| | - Pankaj Kapahi
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, USA
| | - Aric N Rogers
- Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salisbury Cove, ME, USA
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49
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Liu W, Liu X, Wu C, Jiang L. Transcriptome analysis demonstrates that long noncoding RNA is involved in the hypoxic response in Larimichthys crocea. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2018; 44:1333-1347. [PMID: 29948448 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-018-0525-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) has low hypoxia tolerance compared with other fish species, and the mRNA levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in its brain do not change markedly under hypoxic conditions. In this study, we investigated noncoding transcription in the hypoxic response mechanism of L. crocea. We generated a catalog of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) from the brain of L. crocea individuals under hypoxic stress, investigated lncRNA expression patterns, and analyzed the HIF signaling pathway by RNA sequencing. Prolyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2) expression significantly increased after 6 and 12 h of hypoxia, and a lncRNA (Linc_06633.1) was found in the upstream, antisense region of PHD2. Linc_06633.1 may be an important regulator that promotes PDH2 expression under hypoxia in L. crocea, and we constructed a regulatory profile of L. crocea under hypoxic conditions. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study that has been conducted on hypoxia signaling pathway regulation by lncRNAs in L. crocea and elucidates the role played by lncRNAs in the regulation of the hypoxia stress response in teleost fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxu Liu
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Changwen Wu
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Lihua Jiang
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China.
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50
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Zhou X, Sen I, Lin XX, Riedel CG. Regulation of Age-related Decline by Transcription Factors and Their Crosstalk with the Epigenome. Curr Genomics 2018; 19:464-482. [PMID: 30258277 PMCID: PMC6128382 DOI: 10.2174/1389202919666180503125850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is a complex phenomenon, where damage accumulation, increasing deregulation of biological pathways, and loss of cellular homeostasis lead to the decline of organismal functions over time. Interestingly, aging is not entirely a stochastic process and progressing at a constant rate, but it is subject to extensive regulation, in the hands of an elaborate and highly interconnected signaling network. This network can integrate a variety of aging-regulatory stimuli, i.e. fertility, nutrient availability, or diverse stresses, and relay them via signaling cascades into gene regulatory events - mostly of genes that confer stress resistance and thus help protect from damage accumulation and homeostasis loss. Transcription factors have long been perceived as the pivotal nodes in this network. Yet, it is well known that the epigenome substantially influences eukaryotic gene regulation, too. A growing body of work has recently underscored the importance of the epigenome also during aging, where it not only undergoes drastic age-dependent changes but also actively influences the aging process. In this review, we introduce the major signaling pathways that regulate age-related decline and discuss the synergy between transcriptional regulation and the epigenetic landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christian G. Riedel
- Address correspondence to this author at the Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC), Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 6, Novum, 7 floor Huddinge, Stockholm 14157, Sweden; Tel: +46-736707008; E-mail:
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