Title

Converging pathways in lifespan regulation.

Student Author(s)

Sri Devi Narasimhan

UMMS Affiliation

Program in Gene Function and Expression; Program in Molecular Medicine

Publication Date

2009-08-11

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

The processes that determine an organism's lifespan are complex and poorly understood. Yet single gene manipulations and environmental interventions can substantially delay age-related morbidity. In this review, we focus on the two most potent modulators of longevity: insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling and dietary restriction. The remarkable molecular conservation of the components associated with insulin/IGF-1 signaling and dietary restriction allow us to understand longevity from a multi-species perspective. We summarize the most recent findings on insulin/IGF-1 signaling and examine the proteins and pathways that reveal a more genetic basis for dietary restriction. Although insulin/IGF-1 signaling and dietary restriction pathways are currently viewed as being independent, we suggest that these two pathways are more intricately connected than previously appreciated. We highlight that numerous interactions between these two pathways can occur at multiple levels. Ultimately, both the insulin/IGF-1 pathway and the pathway that mediates the effects of dietary restriction have evolved to respond to the nutritional status of an organism, which in turn affects its lifespan.

Source

Curr Biol. 2009 Aug 11;19(15):R657-66.

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Current biology : CB

Related Resources

Link to article in PubMed

PubMed ID

19674551

Link to Full Text

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