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Zinc Levels Modulate Lifespan through Multiple Longevity Pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans
Jitendra Kumar1,2, Tracy Barhydt1, Anjali Awasthi3
1The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, United States of America.
Plos One
|April 15, 2016
Summary
Altering zinc levels in Caenorhabditis elegans impacts lifespan and healthspan. Excess zinc shortens life, while reduced zinc extends it, affecting key proteins and pathways.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Aging Research
Background:
- Zinc is a vital trace element crucial for biological functions.
- Imbalances in zinc levels can negatively impact development and metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of altered zinc balance on longevity and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans.
- To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying zinc's influence on aging.
Main Methods:
- Modulating zinc levels in vivo using dietary supplementation and a zinc-selective chelator.
- Assessing lifespan, healthspan markers (proteostasis, locomotion, thermotolerance), and protein expression (DAF-16, HSF-1, SKN-1).
- Analyzing nuclear localization of DAF-16 and dauer formation.
Main Results:
- Excess dietary zinc decreased mean and maximum lifespan in C. elegans.
- Zinc-selective chelation increased mean and maximum lifespan.
- Lifespan effects of zinc are dependent on DAF-16, HSF-1, and SKN-1 proteins.
- Reduced zinc levels improved proteostasis, locomotion, and thermotolerance.
Conclusions:
- Zinc homeostasis plays a significant role in regulating lifespan and healthspan in C. elegans.
- The insulin/IGF-1 pathway is implicated in mediating zinc's lifespan effects.
- Zinc regulation in worms may exemplify antagonistic pleiotropy.
