Nutrient signalling and ageing

Question 1

What organism doesn’t age and why?

Answer 1

Hydra, has regenerative abilities

Question 2

What was the survival rate comparison of those on dietary restriction and ad libidum?

Answer 2

survival rates higher for restricted diet

Question 3

What is ad libidum?

Answer 3

to eat as often and as desired

Question 4

What were the signs of ageing in microbiverious terrestrial nematode?

Answer 4

• reduced fertility, feeding, movement
• increased molecular damage
• organ deterioration

Question 5

What is learned from the genes that modulate lifespan in C. elegans?

Answer 5

when we inhibit daf-2, we increase daf-16 and this causes longevity

Question 6

What is the similar inhibition we can do in humans as per daf-2? and why is it so?

Answer 6

Insulin or IGF-1 receptor

• the insulin/IGF signalling is evolutionarily conserved
• connected to other nutrient signalling pathways

Question 7

Does size affect longevity?

Answer 7

No

Question 8

From looking at longevity of organisms, what can be said of the similarity between them affecting lifespan?

Answer 8

• attenuation extends lifespan
• TORC1 behaves similarly
• beneficial effects on health

Question 9

What part of the insulin/IGF-like signalling pathway can be inhibited by drugs?

Answer 9

RAS pathway

Question 10

Targeting RAS can be used to treat the following:

Answer 10

• cancer

- chemotherapy

Question 11

What does trametinib do?

Answer 11

• highly specific MEK inhibitor
• blocks ERK activation
• so using this drug target on IIS (insulin/IGF-signalling) for longevity