Abstract

Metabolism is intimately linked to aging. There is a growing number of studies showing that endogenous metabolites may delay aging and improve healthspan. Through the analysis of existing transcriptome data, we discover a link between activation of the transsulfuration pathway and a transcriptional program involved in peroxisome function and biogenesis in long-lived glp-1(e2141ts) mutant Caenorhabditis elegans worms. Subsequently, we show that supplementation with α-ketobutyrate, an intermediate of the transsulfuration pathway, extends lifespan in wild-type worms. Alpha-ketobutyrate augments the production of NAD+ via the lactate dehydrogenase LDH-1, leading to SIR-2.1/SIRT1-mediated enhanced peroxisome function and biogenesis, along with a concomitant increase in the expression of acox-1.2/ACOX1 in the peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation pathway. ACOX-1.2/ACOX1 promotes H2O2 formation, thereby resulting in activation of SKN-1/NRF2. This transcription factor in turn extends the lifespan of worms by driving expression of autophagic and lysosomal genes. Finally, we show that α-ketobutyrate also delays the cellular senescence in fibroblast cells through the SIRT1-ACOX1-H2O2-NRF2 pathway. This finding uncovers a previously unknown role for α-ketobutyrate in organismal lifespan and healthspan by coordinating the NAD+-SIRT1 signaling and peroxisomal function.

Understanding how metabolites modulate longevity is crucial for reducing aging-related disease. Here, the authors demonstrate that α-ketobutyrate exhibits an anti-aging effect by coordinating NAD + -SIRT1 signaling and peroxisome function.

Details

Title
The metabolite alpha-ketobutyrate extends lifespan by promoting peroxisomal function in C. elegans
Author
Wu, Nan 1 ; Ma, Yi-Cheng 1 ; Gong, Xin-Qian 1 ; Zhao, Pei-Ji 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Jia, Yong-Jian 1 ; Zhao, Qiu 1 ; Duan, Jia-Hong 1 ; Zou, Cheng-Gang 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Yunnan University, State key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Kunming, China (GRID:grid.440773.3) (ISNI:0000 0000 9342 2456) 
Pages
240
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20411723
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2765887120
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.