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The Replica Set Method: A High-throughput Approach to Quantitatively Measure Caenorhabditis elegans Lifespan
Published on: June 29, 2018
Excessive folate synthesis limits lifespan in the C. elegans: E. coli aging model
Bhupinder Virk1, Gonçalo Correia, David P Dixon
1School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, UK.
BMC Biology
|August 2, 2012
Summary
Reducing microbial folate synthesis, specifically para-aminobenzoic acid, can slow aging in C. elegans. This microbial target offers a way to slow aging without harming growth or reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Aging Research
- Genetics
Background:
- Gut microbes impact animal health and aging.
- E. coli provides essential folates to C. elegans but shortens lifespan.
- Understanding microbe-host interactions informs aging interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how microbial metabolism affects host aging.
- Identify microbial targets to slow aging.
- Explore the role of folate synthesis in aging.
Main Methods:
- Isolated an E. coli mutant (aroD) affecting C. elegans lifespan.
- Manipulated para-aminobenzoic acid levels and folate synthesis.
- Measured folate levels using mass spectrometry.
- Assessed C. elegans growth, reproduction, and lifespan.
Main Results:
- An E. coli aroD mutant increased C. elegans lifespan.
- Reduced para-aminobenzoic acid availability, a folate precursor, extended lifespan.
- Sulfamethoxazole inhibition of folate synthesis dose-dependently increased lifespan.
- Lifespan extension occurred without affecting bacterial or worm growth/reproduction.
Conclusions:
- Folates are abundant in this animal-microbe system.
- Microbial folate synthesis is a viable target for slowing aging.
- Pharmacological targeting of microbial folate synthesis can slow aging without adverse effects.
