title: Fat chance for longevity.
abstract: The health benefits of specific fatty acids and physiological roles of fat metabolism are important subjects that are still poorly understood. In this issue of Genes & Development, O'Rourke and colleagues (pp. 429-440) uncovered a role for lipase-generated ω-6 fatty acids in promoting autophagy and, consequently, life span extension under both fed and fasting conditions. The impact of this finding is discussed with regard to the nutritional value of ω-6 fatty acids and regulatory functions of fat metabolism beyond its well-known role in energy storage.
authors: Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA. marina.kniazeva@colorado.edu
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Kniazeva
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Han
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000502:physiology*; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6