2 Common Aging Mechanisms: Energy Metabolism and Longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Aging studies in diverse species ranging from yeast to man have culminated in the delineation of several common signalingpathways that influence the process of senescent decline and aging. Although understanding these interlinked signal transductioncascades is becoming ever more detailed and comprehensive, the cellular and biochemical processes they impinge upon to modulatethe rate of senescent decline and aging have lagged considerably behind. This fundamental question is one of the most importantchallenges of modern aging research and has been the focus of recent research efforts. Emerging findings provide insight intothe facets of cellular metabolism that can be fine-tuned by upstream signaling events to ultimately promote longevity. Wesurvey the mechanisms regulating aging in the simple nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, highlighting recent discoveries that shed light on the interface between aging signaling pathways and cellular energy metabolism.Our objective is to review the current understanding of the processes involved and discuss mechanisms that are likely conservedin higher organisms.