Metabotropic GABA signalling modulates longevity in C. elegans

Lei Chun, Jianke Gong, Fengling Yuan, Bi Zhang, Hongkang Liu, Tianlin Zheng, Teng Yu, X. Z. Shawn Xu () and Jianfeng Liu ()
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Lei Chun: College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Jianke Gong: College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Fengling Yuan: College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Bi Zhang: College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Hongkang Liu: College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Tianlin Zheng: College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Teng Yu: College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
X. Z. Shawn Xu: Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan
Jianfeng Liu: College of Life Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The nervous system plays an important but poorly understood role in modulating longevity. GABA, a prominent inhibitory neurotransmitter, is best known to regulate nervous system function and behaviour in diverse organisms. Whether GABA signalling affects aging, however, has not been explored. Here we examined mutants lacking each of the major neurotransmitters in C. elegans, and find that deficiency in GABA signalling extends lifespan. This pro-longevity effect is mediated by the metabotropic GABAB receptor GBB-1, but not ionotropic GABAA receptors. GBB-1 regulates lifespan through G protein-PLCβ signalling, which transmits longevity signals to the transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO, a key regulator of lifespan. Mammalian GABAB receptors can functionally substitute for GBB-1 in lifespan control in C. elegans. Our results uncover a new role of GABA signalling in lifespan regulation in C. elegans, raising the possibility that a similar process may occur in other organisms.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9828

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