Caenorhabditis elegans dauers need LKB1/AMPK to ration lipid reserves and ensure long-term survival

Patrick Narbonne and Richard Roy ()
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Patrick Narbonne: McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1B1, Canada
Richard Roy: McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1B1, Canada

Nature, 2009, vol. 457, issue 7226, 210-214

Abstract: Burning off the fat To survive in a harsh environment, larvae of the Caenorhabditis elegans roundworm can enter a 'dauer' state during which they don't eat, but remain active and become stress-resistant and extremely long-lived. A typical dauer has reduced insulin-like signalling, full nutrient stores and global changes in its metabolism. Patrick Narbonne and Richard Roy show that without AMPK (LKB1) signalling, dauers rapidly consume their stored energy and expire prematurely due to vital organ failure. In a normal dauer larva, LKB1/AMPK ensures a long and active life without the need for food by slowing down triglyceride hydrolysis so that the fat reserves last and proper osmoregulation is maintained. This work touches on systems involved in research on ageing, diabetes and obesity.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature07536

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