Protein Synthesis Is a Novel Determinant of Aging in Caenorhabditis elegans

摘要

Protein synthesis is a tightly regulated cellular process thataffects growth, reproduction, and survival in response to both intrinsicand extrinsic cues, such as nutrient availability and energy levels. A pro-nounced, age-related decline of the total protein synthesis rate has beenobserved in many organisms, including humans. The molecular mecha-nisms underlying this decline and their role in the aging process remainunclear. A series of recent studies in the nematode, Caenorhabditis el-egans, have revealed a novel link between protein synthesis and aging.Remarkably, these research findings, in their totality, converge to indi-cate that reduction of mRNA translation prolongs life in worms. Signaltransduction cascades implicated in aging, such as the insulin/insulingrowth factor-1 pathway, interface with mechanisms regulating proteinsynthesis via a battery of key mRNA translation factors. Are the effectsof these pathways on aging mediated, in part, by alterations in proteinsynthesis? This is an intriguing possibility in light of the latest discover-ies. Whether attenuation of protein synthesis promotes longevity acrossdifferent phyla is an additional important matter. Here, we survey workassociating protein synthesis with aging and discuss the basis of life-spanextension under conditions that attenuate protein synthesis.