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Metabolic Biomarkers in Nematode C. elegans During Aging
Sumino Yanase1,2, Takamasa Ishii3, Kayo Yasuda4
1Department of Health Science, Daito Bunka University School of Sports & Health Science, Higashi-matsuyama, Saitama, Japan. syanase@ic.daito.ac.jp.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|March 29, 2019
Summary
Cellular energy metabolism shifts during aging, causing imbalances. Monitoring the lactate/pyruvate ratio in C. elegans offers a new biomarker for tracking age-related metabolic decline and homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Energy metabolism undergoes significant changes during normal aging and in diseases like cancer.
- Metabolic alterations can disrupt cellular and tissue homeostasis, impacting organismal health.
- In aging research, the nematode C. elegans exhibits an energy metabolism imbalance between oxidative phosphorylation and aerobic glycolysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related energy metabolism imbalances in C. elegans.
- To identify reliable biomarkers for aging and associated declines.
- To explore the utility of the lactate/pyruvate ratio as an aging biomarker.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the model organism C. elegans for aging studies.
- Analyzing key intermediates of intracellular energy metabolism, lactate and pyruvate.
- Monitoring the cellular lactate/pyruvate ratio as a potential biomarker.
Main Results:
- Age-related energy metabolism imbalances were observed in C. elegans.
- The cellular lactate/pyruvate ratio was identified as an indicator of these metabolic shifts.
- A novel candidate biomarker for aging and age-related declines was proposed.
Conclusions:
- The lactate/pyruvate ratio serves as a valuable biomarker for monitoring age-related metabolic changes.
- Understanding these metabolic shifts is crucial for studying aging and age-related diseases.
- Further research into novel biomarkers can advance the field of gerontology.
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