DZD scientists of the group of Prof. Andreas Birkenfeld at the University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, were able to shed a new light on the controversial data on life span extension in C. elegans.

It has been known that reduced expression of the Indy (“I am Not Dead Yet”) gene in Drosophila melanogaster promotes longevity. Now, the researchers could show that the knockdown of Indy/CeNAC2 using a specific siRNA extended the life span of C. elegans along with the activation of the intracellular energy sensor AMP-activated protein Kinase A (AMPK). Mean life span was extended by 22±3 % upon knockdown of Indy/CeNAC2, while whole body fat content was reduced by nearly 50%. This finding might also be interesting for future diabetes therapies in humans.

The study provides a rationale for the molecular mechanisms mediating longevity when Indy/CeNAC2 is reduced. It further supports the hypothesis that activation of AMPK and inactivation of Indy are attractive targets to promote healthy ageing and, possibly, to extend life span also in higher eukaryotes.

Original publication:
Schwarz F, Karadeniz Z, Fischer-Rosinsky A, Willmes DM, Spranger J, Birkenfeld AL. Knockdown of Indy/CeNac2 extends Caenorhabditis elegans life span by inducing AMPK/aak-2. Aging. August 20, 2015 Link to the Publication
www.impactaging.com/papers/v7/n8/full/100791.html