DAF-2, AN INSULIN RECEPTOR-LIKE GENE THAT REGULATES LONGEVITY AND DIAPAUSE IN CAENORHABDITIS-ELEGANS

A C. elegans neurosecretory signaling system regulates whether animals enter the reproductive life cycle or arrest development at the long-l ived dauer diapause stage. daf-2, a key gene in the genetic pathway th at mediates this endocrine signaling, encodes an insulin receptor fami ly member. Decreases in DAF-2 signaling induce metabolic and developme ntal changes, as in mammalian metabolic control by the insulin recepto r, Decreased DAF-2 signaling also causes an increase in life-span. Lif e-span regulation by insulin-like metabolic control is analogous to ma mmalian longevity enhancement induced by caloric restriction, suggesti ng a general link between metabolism, diapause, and longevity.