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Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
Two Conserved Histone Demethylases Regulate Mitochondrial Stress-Induced Longevity.
Carsten Merkwirth1, Virginija Jovaisaite2, Jenni Durieux3
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; The Glenn Center for Research on Aging, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; The Paul F. Glenn Center for Aging Research, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Mild mitochondrial stress benefits lifespan by activating the unfolded protein response (UPR(mt)). Epigenetic regulators, histone demethylases, control this longevity pathway, conserved across species from worms to mice.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Genetics
- Aging Research
Background:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to aging and disease.
- The unfolded protein response (UPR(mt)) maintains mitochondrial health.
- Epigenetic mechanisms are implicated in aging and stress response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epigenetic regulation of lifespan in response to mitochondrial stress.
- To identify specific genes involved in the conserved longevity pathway.
- To explore the role of mitochondrial homeostasis in aging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized C. elegans as a model organism for studying aging and mitochondrial stress.
- Employed genetic manipulation (reduction and gain of function) of histone demethylases.
- Applied systems genetics in the BXD mouse reference population for cross-species validation.
Main Results:
- Identified conserved histone lysine demethylases (jmjd-1.2/PHF8 and jmjd-3.1/JMJD3) as positive regulators of lifespan.
- Demonstrated that loss of these demethylases suppresses longevity and UPR(mt) induction.
- Showed that gain of function extends lifespan in a UPR(mt)-dependent manner.
- Confirmed conserved roles of mammalian orthologs in longevity and UPR(mt) signaling.
Conclusions:
- An evolutionarily conserved epigenetic mechanism regulates aging downstream of mitochondrial perturbations.
- Histone demethylases are key mediators of the beneficial effects of mitochondrial stress on lifespan.
- Targeting these epigenetic regulators may offer therapeutic strategies for age-related diseases.
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