Less is better

Reduced expression of MYC increases longevity and enhances health span.  Cell 160: 477–488.

MYC is a highly pleiotropic transcription factor whose deregulation promotes cancer.  In contrast, we find that Myc haploinsufficient (Myc+/–) mice exhibit increased lifespan.  They show resistance to several age-associated pathologies, including osteoporosis, cardiac fibrosis, and immunosenescence.  They also appear to be more active, with a higher metabolic rate and healthier lipid metabolism.  Transcriptomic analysis reveals a gene expression signature enriched for metabolic and immune processes.  The ancestral role of MYC as a regulator of ribosome biogenesis is reflected in reduced protein translation, which is inversely correlated with longevity.  We also observe changes in nutrient and energy sensing pathways, including reduced serum IGF-1, increased AMPK activity, and decreased AKT, TOR, and S6K activities.  In contrast to observations in other longevity models, Myc+/– mice do not show improvements in stress management pathways.  Our findings indicate that MYC activity has a significant impact on longevity and multiple aspects of mammalian healthspan.

最近お昼御飯を食べながら食堂でだらだらと読んでいた Cell の論文。Myc heterozygousのマウスは健康で長生きという話。age-relatedなphenotypeを色々と調べているけど、Myc heterozygousでは色んな組織でたいがいのものが改善されて老化の速度が低下することが示されている。「A general theme emerging from aging studies in multiple species is that “less is better”: less food, less somatotrophic/IGF-1 signaling, less anabolic activity, less protein translation, etc., and MYC certainly fits well in this paradigm.」と、まさにこういうことな訳で、やっぱりそうやよねぇと思うんやけど、このアンチエイジング効果は結構スゴイ。ところで、ハエでもそうやったっけ？と思ったらやっぱり論文出てるやん。

↓コレ

Myc-dependent genome instability and lifespan in Drosophila.  PLoS One 8: e74641.