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Caveolin‐2 Enhances Longevity and Induces Stress Adaptation In C. elegans
Author(s) -
Mehta Meghna D.,
Mehta Ekta D.,
Schilling Jan M.,
Shi Eileen,
Fridolfsson Heidi N.,
Roth David M.,
Patel Hemal H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.767.2
Subject(s) - caenorhabditis elegans , caveolae , longevity , biology , adaptation (eye) , microbiology and biotechnology , caveolin 1 , andrology , gene , genetics , signal transduction , medicine , neuroscience
Caveolae are plasma membrane invaginations common to many cells. Caveolae are enriched in proteins such as caveolin, which are structural proteins that may be stress adaptive. Mammalian cells express three isoforms of caveolin (Cav‐1, Cav‐2, and Cav‐3), whereas C. elegans express only two (Cav‐1 and Cav‐2) with Cav‐2 serving a common function between mammals and C. elegans . To study the benefits of caveolin proteins in stress adaptation, the C. elegans model system was used due to its simplicity and ability to be easily manipulated. We generated C. elegans overexpressing the Cav‐2 (Cav‐2 OE) gene and assessed impact on longevity, egg laying, and stress adaptation. We hypothesized that the over‐expression of Cav‐2 in C. elegans would allow for healthy aging and induce stress adaptation. Cav‐2 OE worms showed significant increases in lifespan, surviving two days longer than their counterparts (p<0.001, n=180, Logrank Test). Cav‐2 OE worms had increased production of eggs with increased duration of egg laying (laying 10–15 more eggs per worm for two days longer, p<0.0001, n=180, 2‐Way RM ANOVA). In order to examine the ability of C. elegans to adapt to stress, we induced stress by exposing the C. elegans to 2% glucose. Cav‐2 OE worms showed enhanced survival compared to N2 controls surviving two days longer (p<0.0022, n=180, Logrank Test). Taken together our data suggests that Cav‐2 is a major regulator of longevity and stress adaptation in C. elegans and C. elegans may serve as an ideal model system to evaluate the impact of caveolin on human pathophysiology and aging.