THE GERONTOGENES AGE-1 AND DAF-2 DETERMINE METABOLIC-RATE POTENTIAL IN AGING CAENORHABDITIS-ELEGANS

Mutations in the genes age-1 and daf-2 extend life span of Caenorhabdi tis elegans by 100 and 200%, respectively, in axenic culture. Adult wo rms that are mutant in either of these genes have higher metabolic cap acities, called metabolic rate potentials, at all ages and the extensi on of their life expectancies are positively correlated with the incre ases of metabolic rate potential. The activities of catalase, superoxi de dismutase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, isocitrate lyase, and malate s ynthase are all higher relative to those in worms that are wild type f or these genes, but acid phosphatase is down-regulated and alkaline ph osphatase activity is lowered to 10% of the activity measured in age-1 (+) and daf-2(+) worms. These results suggest that genes that regulate metabolic activity may play central roles in longevity and senescence .