Trehalose extends longevity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Trehalose is a naturally occurring disaccharide known for its protective properties against various environmental stresses.
• Its potential role in mitigating aging processes has been hypothesized but requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of trehalose on lifespan and age-related physiological decline in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.
• To elucidate the mechanisms underlying trehalose's impact on aging and its interaction with insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

• Administration of trehalose to C. elegans at different life stages (young-adult and old-adult).
• Demographic analysis of mortality rates, reproductive span, pharyngeal pumping rate, and lipofuscin accumulation.
• Assessment of thermotolerance and polyglutamine aggregation.
• Genetic manipulation using daf-2 mutants and RNA interference for trehalose-biosynthesis genes (tps-1, tps-2).

Main Results:

• Trehalose treatment extended mean lifespan by over 30% when started in young adults and increased remaining lifespan by 60% when started in old adults.
• Trehalose improved age-related declines in survivorship, reproductive span, pharyngeal pumping, and reduced lipofuscin accumulation.
• Enhanced thermotolerance and reduced polyglutamine aggregation were observed, suggesting improved protein homeostasis.
• The lifespan-extending effects of trehalose were dependent on insulin/IGF-1 signaling, being abolished in daf-2 mutants.

Conclusions:

• Trehalose acts as an aging suppressor in C. elegans, potentially by counteracting stresses that disrupt protein homeostasis.
• The aging-suppressor function of trehalose is, in part, mediated by the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway.
• Trehalose shows promise as a potential nutraceutical agent for interventions aimed at slowing the aging process.