Forward and reverse genetics approaches to uncover metabolic aging pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of disease Vol. 1864; no. 9; pp. 2697 - 2706
• Main Authors: Gao, Arwen W., uit de Bos, Jelmi, Sterken, Mark G., Kammenga, Jan E., Smith, Reuben L., Houtkooper, Riekelt H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2018
• Subjects: Aging; C. elegans; EPS; Forward genetics; Gene × environment interaction; Laboratorium voor Nematologie; Laboratory of Nematology; Metabolism; PE&RC; QTL mapping; Aging; Gene×environment interaction; C. elegans; Forward genetics; Metabolism; QTL mapping
• ISSN: 0925-4439; 1879-260X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.09.006

The biological mechanisms of aging have been studied in depth and prominent findings in this field promote the development of new therapies for age-associated disorders. Various model organisms are used for research on aging; among these, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been widely used and has provided valuable knowledge in determining the regulatory mechanisms driving the aging process. Many genes involved in lifespan regulation are associated with metabolic pathways and are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. In line with this, C. elegans provides a promising platform to study such gene by environment interactions, in either a reverse or forward genetics approach. In this review, we discuss longevity mechanisms related to metabolic networks that have been discovered in C. elegans. We also highlight the use of wild populations to study the complex genetic basis of natural variation for quantitative traits that mediate longevity. •C. elegans is a powerful model to study molecular regulation of aging.•Metabolic pathways are attractive targets to improve healthspan.•Worm population genetics allows dissection of gene×nutrition interactions.