Open AccessLifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans by complete removal of food
Author(s) -
Kaeberlein Tammi L.,
Smith Erica D.,
Tsuchiya Mitsuhiro,
Welton K. Linnea,
Thomas James H.,
Fields Stanley,
Kennedy Brian K.,
Kaeberlein Matt
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
aging cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1474-9726
pISSN - 1474-9718
DOI - 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2006.00238.x
Subject(s) - biology , caenorhabditis elegans , longevity , model organism , starvation , reproduction , organism , calorie restriction , restricted diet , zoology , genetics , endocrinology , gene
Summary A partial reduction in food intake has been found to increase lifespan in many different organisms. We report here a new dietary restriction regimen in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans , based on the standard agar plate lifespan assay, in which adult worms are maintained in the absence of a bacterial food source. These findings represent the first report in any organism of lifespan extension in response to prolonged starvation. Removal of bacterial food increases lifespan to a greater extent than partial reduction of food through a mechanism that is distinct from insulin/IGF‐like signaling and the Sir2‐family deacetylase, SIR‐2.1. Removal of bacterial food also increases lifespan when initiated in postreproductive adults, suggesting that dietary restriction started during middle age can result in a substantial longevity benefit that is independent of reproduction.