Insulin/IGF-1-mediated longevity is marked by reduced protein metabolism

Mol Syst Biol. 2013 Jul 2:9:679. doi: 10.1038/msb.2013.35.

Abstract

Mutations in the daf-2 gene of the conserved Insulin/Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) pathway double the lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This phenotype is completely suppressed by deletion of Forkhead transcription factor daf-16. To uncover regulatory mechanisms coordinating this extension of life, we employed a quantitative proteomics strategy with daf-2 mutants in comparison with N2 and daf-16; daf-2 double mutants. This revealed a remarkable longevity-specific decrease in proteins involved in mRNA processing and transport, the translational machinery, and protein metabolism. Correspondingly, the daf-2 mutants display lower amounts of mRNA and 20S proteasome activity, despite maintaining total protein levels equal to that observed in wild types. Polyribosome profiling in the daf-2 and daf-16;daf-2 double mutants confirmed a daf-16-dependent reduction in overall translation, a phenotype reminiscent of Dietary Restriction-mediated longevity, which was independent of germline activity. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of proteins identified by our approach resulted in modified C. elegans lifespan confirming the importance of these processes in Insulin/IGF-1-mediated longevity. Together, the results demonstrate a role for the metabolism of proteins in the Insulin/IGF-1-mediated extension of life.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / metabolism
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / genetics*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genotype
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / genetics*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism
  • Longevity / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / genetics
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Receptor, Insulin / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor, Insulin / genetics*
  • Receptor, Insulin / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Insulin
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transcription Factors
  • daf-16 protein, C elegans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • DAF-2 protein, C elegans
  • Receptor, Insulin
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex