MOLECULAR-GENETICS OF LIFE-SPAN IN C-ELEGANS - HOW MUCH DOES IT TEACHUS

Several loci have been identified in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans that, when mutated, can increase life span. Three of these gen es, age-1, daf-2 and clk-1, have note been cloned. Mutations in these three genes are highly pleiotropic and affect many aspects of worm dev elopment and behaviour. age-1 and daf-2 act in the same genetic pathwa y and have similar effects on the worm. age-1 encodes a homologue of t he p110 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and daf-2 encodes an insulin receptor family member. clk-1 encodes a protein of unknown bio chemical function similar to the yeast metabolic regulator Cat5p/Coq7p . The implications of these findings for our understanding of organism al ageing are discussed.