Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans transcription factor HSF-1, which regulates the heatshock response, also influences aging. Reducing hsf-1 activity accelerates tissue aging and shortens life-span, and we show that hsf-1 overexpression extends lifespan. We find that HSF-1, like the transcription factor DAF-16, is required for daf-2-insulin/IGF-1 receptor mutations to extend life-span. Our findings suggest this is because HSF-1 and DAF-16 together activate expression of specific genes, including genes encoding small heat-shock proteins, which in turn promote longevity. The small heat-shock proteins also delay the onset of polyglutamine-expansion protein aggregation, suggesting that these proteins couple the normal aging process to this type of age-related disease.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1142-1145 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 300 |
Issue number | 5622 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 16 May 2003 |