Molecular mechanisms underlying lifespan extension by dietary restriction

描述（由申请人提供）：饮食限制（DR）可延长寿命并延迟年龄依赖性疾病的发作。该提案的总体目标是确定DR对长寿益处的分子机制。能量敏感AMP激活蛋白激酶（AMPK）被激活，以响应细胞能量水平降低，DR的直接后果，提高AMPK介导的寿命延长响应DR的可能性。我们最近表明，AMPK是DR所需的延长蠕虫的寿命，AMPK磷酸化和激活FoxO转录因子，已知在几个物种中调节寿命的蛋白质。基于最近的工作，我们确定了由FoxO转录因子调节的基因响应AMPK激活，我们假设能量敏感AMPK翻译DR信号到基因表达程序的长期变化，至少部分通过激活FoxO转录因子。为了解决AMPK如何调节寿命延长以应对DR的问题，我们提出了以下具体目标：目标1。剖析AMPK家族在感知DR信号中的作用目的2.为了确定AMPK延长寿命的分子机制，采用遗传学和生物化学方法相结合的方法在秀丽隐杆线虫（C。elegans）将被用于开发这些目标。破译AMPK在DR反应中控制寿命的机制将增加我们对控制寿命的重要基因和细胞反应的了解。了解AMPK-FoxO通路在C. elegans还将为研究哺乳动物中DR对寿命有益的潜在机制提供分子基础。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Dietary restriction (DR) increases lifespan and delays the onset of age-dependent diseases. The overarching goal of this proposal is to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the benefits of DR on longevity. The energy-sensing AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated in response to decreased cellular energy levels, a direct consequence of DR, raising the possibility that AMPK mediates lifespan extension in response to DR. We recently showed that AMPK is required for DR to extend lifespan in worms and that AMPK phosphorylates and activates FoxO transcription factors, proteins that are known to regulate lifespan in several species. Based on recent work in which we identified genes regulated by FoxO transcription factors in response to AMPK activation, we hypothesize that the energy-sensing AMPK translates DR signals into long-term changes in gene expression programs, at least partly through the activation of FoxO transcription factors. To address the question of how AMPK regulates the extension of lifespan in response to DR, we propose the following specific aims: Aim 1. To dissect the role of the AMPK family in sensing DR signals Aim 2. To determine the molecular mechanisms by which AMPK extends lifespan A combination of genetics and biochemical approaches in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) will be used to develop these aims. Deciphering the mechanisms by which AMPK controls longevity in response to DR will increase our knowledge of the genes and the cellular responses that are important to control lifespan. Understanding the role of the AMPK-FoxO pathway in longevity in C. elegans will also provide a molecular foundation for studying the mechanisms underlying DR benefits on lifespan in mammals.