Lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans by complete removal of food.

Authors: Kaeberlein TL; Smith ED; Tsuchiya M; Welton KL; Thomas JH; Fields S; Kennedy BK; Kaeberlein M

Abstract: A partial reduction in food intake has been found to increase lifespan in many different organisms. We report here a new dietary restriction regimen in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, based on the standard agar plate lifespan assay, in which adult worms are maintained in the absence of a bacterial food source. These findings represent the first report in any organism of lifespan extension in response to prolonged starvation. Removal of bacterial food increases lifespan to a greater extent than partial reduction of food through a mechanism that is distinct from insulin/IGF-like signaling and the Sir2-family deacetylase, SIR-2.1. Removal of bacterial food also increases lifespan when initiated in postreproductive adults, suggesting that dietary restriction started during middle age can result in a substantial longevity benefit that is independent of reproduction.

Keywords: Aging/*physiology; Animals; Bacteria/metabolism; Caenorhabditis elegans/*metabolism; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics/metabolism; Caloric Restriction; Fertility/physiology; Food Deprivation/*physiology; Immunity, Innate/genetics; Insulin/metabolism; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism; Longevity/*physiology; Models, Animal; Mutation/genetics; Receptors, Nicotinic/genetics; Sirtuins/genetics/metabolism; Stress, Physiological/genetics/metabolism
Journal: Aging cell
Volume: 5
Issue: 6
Pages: 487-94
Date: Nov. 4, 2006
PMID: 17081160


Citation:

Kaeberlein TL, Smith ED, Tsuchiya M, Welton KL, Thomas JH, Fields S, Kennedy BK, Kaeberlein M (2006) Lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans by complete removal of food. Aging cell 5: 487-94.


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