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The reference below says that a higher AMP/ATP ratio is associated with lower lifespan in C. elegans.

Is this finding also generalizable to vertebrates as well?

Reference:
Apfeld, J., O’Connor, G., McDonagh, T., DiStefano, P. S. & Curtis, R. The AMP-activated protein kinase AAK-2 links energy levels and insulin-like signals to lifespan in C. elegans. Genes Dev. 18, 3004–3009 (2004). PMCID: PMC535911.

Alexander Galkin
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InquilineKea
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  • Interesting, but I am not sure how useful studies into many of these processes which shorten lifespan actually are. There are many drugs/poisons which have deleterious effects on organisms, but they don't tell us much about longevity or the aging process. Better to focus on drugs/interventions which extend lifespan? – Poshpaws Jan 22 '12 at 10:10

1 Answers1

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There are many papers suggesting a link between AMPK (the major cellular sensor of the AMP/ATP ratio) and lifespan. As with most of these sorts of experiments, I think it is currently unclear precisely what the mechanism for this is, but AMPK regulates TORC1 and autophagy, both of which are also important for lifespan regulation. Here is a PubMed link to search results.

Alexander Galkin
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Dave
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