A Steroid Receptor-MicroRNA Switch Regulates Life Span in Response to Signals from the Gonad

作者：Shen Yidong; Wollam Joshua; Magner Daniel; Karalay Oezlem; Antebi Adam^*

来源：Science, 2012, 338(6113): 1472-1476.

DOI：10.1126/science.1228967

Although the gonad primarily functions in procreation, it also affects animal life span. Here, we show that removal of the Caenorhabditis elegans germ line triggers a switch in the regulatory state of the organism to promote longevity, co-opting components involved in larval developmental timing circuits. These components include the DAF-12 steroid receptor, which is involved in the larval stage two-to-stage three (L2-L3) transition and up-regulates members of the let-7 microRNA (miRNA) family. The miRNAs target an early larval nuclear factor lin-14 and akt-1/kinase, thereby stimulating DAF-16/FOXO signaling to extend life. Our studies suggest that metazoan life span is coupled to the gonad through elements of a developmental timer.

• 出版日期2012-12-14