A steroid receptor-microRNA switch regulates life span in response to signals from the gonad.
Authors: Shen Y; Wollam J; Magner D; Karalay O; Antebi A Year: 2012 Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.) Abstract: Although the gonad primarily functions in procreation, it also affects animal life span. Here, we show that removal of the Caenorhabditis elegans germ line triggers a switch in the regulatory state of the organism to promote longevity, co-opting components involved in larval developmental timing circuits. These components include the DAF-12 steroid receptor, which is involved in the larval stage two-to-stage three (L2-L3) transition and up-regulates members of the let-7 microRNA (miRNA) family. The miRNAs target an early larval nuclear factor lin-14 and akt-1/kinase, thereby stimulating DAF-16/FOXO signaling to extend life. Our studies suggest that metazoan life span is coupled to the gonad through elements of a developmental timer. Reference
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Created on Dec. 31, 2012, 8:54 p.m. Not linked Integrated: False
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