Signaling Proteins that Regulate NaCL Chemotaxis Responses Modulate Longevity in C. elegans

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 1170; no. 1; pp. 682 - 687
• Main Authors: Lans, Hannes, Dekkers, Martijn P. J., Hukema, Renate K., Bialas, Nathan J., Leroux, Michel R., Jansen, Gert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01-07-2009
• Subjects: aging; Animals; C. elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans - drug effects; Caenorhabditis elegans - metabolism; Caenorhabditis elegans - physiology; Chemotaxis - drug effects; G proteins; Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Longevity; Nematoda; sensory signaling; Signal Transduction; Sodium Chloride - pharmacology; Taste
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632; 1930-6547
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04362.x

The lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is regulated by sensory signals detected by the amphid neurons. In these neurons, C. elegans expresses at least 14 Gα subunits and a Gγ subunit. We have identified seven sensory Gα subunits that modulate lifespan. Genetic experiments suggest that multiple sensory signaling pathways exist that modulate lifespan and that some G proteins function in multiple pathways, most of which, but probably not all, involve insulin/IGF‐1 like signaling. Interestingly, of the sensory G proteins involved in regulating lifespan, only one Gα probably functions directly in the detection of sensory cues. The other G proteins seem to function in modulating the sensitivity of the sensory neurons. We hypothesize that in addition to the mere detection of sensory cues, regulation of the sensitivity of sensory neurons also plays a role in the regulation of lifespan.