The endocrine regulation of aging in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2009 Feb 5;299(1):51-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.10.048. Epub 2008 Nov 17.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been significant growth in our understanding of the regulation of longevity. The most notable change is the identification and detailed description of a number of molecular pathways modulating the rate of aging. A good portion of this new data has come from studies using the genetic model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. In this review, we provide an overview of physiological systems that are involved in the modulation of aging in C. elegans, then discuss the known endocrine signaling systems that are likely to couple these systems together. Finally, we present a working model describing how aging may be regulated as a coordinated system, communicating through endocrine signals.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Endocrine System / physiology*
  • Exocrine Glands / physiology
  • Insulin / physiology
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Steroids / physiology

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Steroids
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I