New article in Cell by Alex Mironov: Bacterial Nitric Oxide Extends the Lifespan of C. elegans.

Bacterial Nitric Oxide Extends the Lifespan of C. elegans.

Ivan Gusarov, Laurent Gautier, Olga Smolentseva, Ilya Shamovsky, Svetlana Eremina, Alexander Mironov, Evgeny Nudler

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.

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Cell (impact factor: 32.4). 02/2013; 152(4):818-30. DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2012.12.043

Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule in multicellular organisms. Most animals produce NO from L-arginine via a family of dedicated enzymes known as NO synthases (NOSes). A rare exception is the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, which lacks its own NOS. However, in its natural environment, C. elegans feeds on Bacilli that possess functional NOS. Here, we demonstrate that bacterially derived NO enhances C. elegans longevity and stress resistance via a defined group of genes that function under the dual control of HSF-1 and DAF-16 transcription factors. Our work provides an example of interspecies signaling by a small molecule and illustrates the lifelong value of commensal bacteria to their host.

25.08.2013, 48369 views.