The unfolded protein response reverses the effects of glucose on lifespan in chemically-sterilized C. elegans.

Abstract

Metabolic diseases often share common traits, including accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Upon ER stress, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated to limit cellular damage which weakens with age. Here, we show that Caenorhabditis elegans fed a bacterial diet supplemented high glucose at day 5 of adulthood (HGD-5) extends their lifespan, whereas exposed at day 1 (HGD-1) experience shortened longevity. We observed a metabolic shift only in HGD-1, while glucose and infertility synergistically prolonged the lifespan of HGD-5, independently of DAF-16. Notably, we identified that UPR stress sensors ATF-6 and PEK-1 contributed to the longevity of HGD-5 worms, while ire-1 ablation drastically increased HGD-1 lifespan. Together, we postulate that HGD activates the otherwise quiescent UPR in aged worms to overcome ageing-related stress and restore ER homeostasis. In contrast, young animals subjected to HGD provokes unresolved ER stress, conversely leading to a detrimental stress response.

• Authors: Caroline Beaudoin-Chabot, Lei Wang, Cenk Celik, Aishah Tul-Firdaus Abdul Khalid, Subhash Thalappilly, Shiyi Xu, Jhee Hong Koh, Venus Wen Xuan Lim, Ann Don Low, Guillaume Thibault
• Journal: Nature communications (Nat Commun) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 5889 (10 19 2022) ISSN: 2041-1723 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 36261415 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
• Glucose

Topics

• Animals
• Caenorhabditis elegans (metabolism)
• Longevity
• Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Glucose (metabolism)
• Unfolded Protein Response
• Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress (physiology)