Abstract
Intracellular triacylglycerol (TAG) is a ubiquitous energy storage lipid also involved in lipid homeostasis and signaling. Comparatively, little is known about TAG's role in other cellular functions. Here we show a pro-longevity function of TAG in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In yeast strains derived from natural and laboratory environments a correlation between high levels of TAG and longer chronological lifespan was observed. Increased TAG abundance through the deletion of TAG lipases prolonged chronological lifespan of laboratory strains, while diminishing TAG biosynthesis shortened lifespan without apparently affecting vegetative growth. TAG-mediated lifespan extension was independent of several other known stress response factors involved in chronological aging. Because both lifespan regulation and TAG metabolism are conserved, this cellular pro-longevity function of TAG may extend to other organisms.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase / genetics
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Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase / metabolism
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Energy Metabolism
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Lipase / genetics
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Lipase / metabolism
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Mutation
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Paraquat / pharmacology
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / drug effects
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology*
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
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Sirolimus / pharmacology
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Triglycerides / metabolism*
Substances
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Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
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Triglycerides
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DGA1 protein, S cerevisiae
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Diacylglycerol O-Acyltransferase
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Lipase
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TGL3 protein, S cerevisiae
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Paraquat
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Sirolimus
Grants and funding
WH was supported by the Royal Government of Thailand Scholarship for Development and Promotion of Science and Technology and subsidized by NSF MCB1050132; XL was partially supported by a fund from the GEDD Focus Group, MSU. The work on TAG biosynthesis in the Benning lab was supported by a Department of Energy–Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center Cooperative Agreement DE-FC02-07ER6449. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.