Hormonal control of aging in C. elegans

• Antragstellerin: Dr. Monika Suchanek
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Zellbiologie
• Förderung: Förderung von 2006 bis 2011
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 36167221

In C. elegans, germline ablation extends lifespan by triggering the nuclear translocation of the DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor in the intestine. At the molecular level, the lifespan extension caused by germline removal appears to be controlled by at least three distinct hormonal signals of unknown nature. The aim of this project is to identify and characterize these hormones. Towards this aim, I will conduct a genome-wide screen for RNAi clones that interfere with germline signaling in C. elegans, utilizing both the subcellular localization of DAF-16-GFP in the intestine, as well as the intensity of fluorescence of a DAF-16 cell non-autonomous downstream target gene (DOD-11-RFP). The screen will be complemented by purifying lipidic fractions from worms and assaying them for life span modulating activity. Together, these approaches will enhance our knowledge about the signaling network underlying the life-extending effect of germline ablation and provide mechanistic insights into the hormonal control of aging.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien
• Internationaler Bezug: USA
• Gastgeberin: Professorin Dr. Cynthia J. Kenyon