Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Quantification of Information Encoded by Gene Expression Levels During Lifespan Modulation Under Broad-range Dietary Restriction in C. elegans
Published on: August 16, 2017
A heady message for lifespan regulation
1Dept of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill St, London, UK NW3 2PF. tcowen@rfc.ucl.ac.uk
Abstract:
Mutant Caenorhabditis elegans in which the age-1 and daf-2 genes (involved in insulin-receptor-like signalling) are expressed at low levels exhibit extended lifespan. Wolkow and colleagues recently showed that restricted re-expression of age-1 and daf-2 genes in neurons of these mutants rescues wild-type lifespan as effectively as ubiquitous re-expression. Low levels of insulin-like signalling in neurons might control longevity by enhancing protection against free radical damage. However, in mammalian cells (including neurons) reduced insulin-like signalling is generally thought to be deleterious to antioxidant defence and to neuron survival. Here we discuss the new work and several hypotheses to explain this apparent contradiction.
Related Concept Videos
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Replicative Cell Senescence
Regulation of Metabolism
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation
Replicative Cell Senescence
Translational Regulation

