Quercetin mediated lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans is modulated by age-1, daf-2, sek-1 and unc-43.
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans responds to flavonoid-rich diets with improved health and longevity. The precise mechanism(s) responsible for this remains to be identified, but is believed to be linked to the highly antioxidative properties of flavonoids. This study provides a dissection of lifespan modulation by the flavonoid quercetin. In detail, quercetin was shown not to act as a simple antimicrobial agent or exclusively via radical scavenging capacities. Likewise, lifespan extension had no effect on reproduction and body length. Furthermore, neither a caloric restriction mimetic nor a sirtuin (sir-2.1) dependence was identified as a likely mode of action. However, four genes were pinpointed to be required for the quercetin derived lifespan extension, namely age-1, daf-2, unc-43 and sek-1. The latter two have, to date, not been linked to quercetin-mediated lifespan extension.
Pietsch
Kerstin
K
Department of Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany. kpietsch@gmx.de
Saul
Nadine
N
Menzel
Ralph
R
Stürzenbaum
Stephen R
SR
Steinberg
Christian E W
CE
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004032:Diet; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects*; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature
D000975:Antioxidants; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D011794:Quercetin; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; C100662:AGE-1 protein, C elegans; C107483:DAF-2 protein, C elegans; D011972:Receptor, Insulin; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; C517679:unc-43 protein, C elegans; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; C516679:sek-1 protein, C elegans