title: Autophagy links lipid metabolism to longevity in C. elegans.
abstract: The cellular recycling process of autophagy is emerging as a central player in many of the conserved longevity pathways in C. elegans, but the underlying mechanisms that link autophagy and life span remain unclear. In a recent study, we provided evidence to suggest that autophagy modulates aging through an effect on lipid homeostasis. Specifically, we identified a role for autophagy in a longevity model in which germline removal in C. elegans extends life span. Life-span extension in these animals is achieved, at least in part, through increased expression of the lipase LIPL-4. We found that autophagy and LIPL-4-dependent lipolysis are both upregulated in germline-less animals and work interdependently to prolong life span. While these genetic results lend further support to a growing link between autophagy and lipid metabolism, our findings are the first to suggest a possible molecular mechanism by which autophagy modulates organismal aging.
authors.affiliation: Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, Del E. Webb Neuroscience, Aging and Stem Cell Research Center, Program of Development and Aging, La Jolla, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Louis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Lapierre
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meléndez
authors.forename: Malene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008049:Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C569694:LIPL-4 protein, C elegans; D008049:Lipase