Insulin and JNK: optimizing metabolic homeostasis and lifespan.
Metabolic adaptation to environmental changes is crucial for the long-term survival of an organism. Signaling mechanisms that govern this adaptation thus influence lifespan. One such mechanism is the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) pathway, a central regulator of metabolism in metazoans. Recent studies have identified the stress-responsive Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway as a regulator of IIS signaling, providing a link between environmental challenges and metabolic regulation. JNK inhibits IIS activity and, thus, promotes lifespan extension and stress tolerance. Interestingly, this interaction is also at the center of age-related metabolic diseases. Here, we review recent advances illuminating the mechanisms of the JNK-IIS interaction and its implications for metabolic diseases and lifespan in metazoans.
Karpac
Jason
J
Department of Biology, University of Rochester, River Campus Box 270211, Rochester, NY 14627, USA.
Jasper
Heinrich
H
D000818:Animals; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D007328:Insulin; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases