A neuromedin U receptor acts with the sensory system to modulate food type-dependent effects on C. elegans lifespan.
The type of food source has previously been shown to be as important as the level of food intake in influencing lifespan. Here we report that different Escherichia coli food sources alter Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan. These effects are modulated by different subsets of sensory neurons, which act with nmur-1, a homolog of mammalian neuromedin U receptors. Wild-type nmur-1, which is expressed in the somatic gonad, sensory neurons, and interneurons, shortens lifespan only on specific E. coli food sources-an effect that is dependent on the type of E. coli lipopolysaccharide structure. Moreover, the food type-dependent effect of nmur-1 on lifespan is different from that of food-level restriction. Together our data suggest that nmur-1 processes information from specific food cues to influence lifespan and other aspects of physiology.
Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
Wolfgang
W
Maier
Bakhtiyor
B
Adilov
Martin
M
Regenass
Joy
J
Alcedo
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; C082444:neuromedin U receptor