Abstract
Author SummaryReproductive tissues are known to generate important intercellular signals. For example, in mammals, the reproductive tissues produce steroid hormones such as estrogen and testosterone that have profound effects on development and physiology. Studies of the nematode C. elegans and other organisms have shown that the reproductive system can also affect the rate at which an animal ages. Removal of C. elegans' germ cells extends lifespan but this effect is not simply due to sterility, as removal of both the somatic reproductive tissues and the germ cells does not extend lifespan. Instead, loss of the germ cells extends lifespan by activating a pathway that requires input from the somatic gonad. In this study, we demonstrate that the somatic reproductive tissues promote longevity by controlling the activity of a steroid signaling pathway that regulates the DAF-12 nuclear hormone receptor.
Highlights
Aging and reproduction are two central aspects of an animal’s life history
We demonstrate that the somatic reproductive tissues promote longevity by controlling the activity of a steroid signaling pathway that regulates the DAF-12 nuclear hormone receptor
We hypothesized that the somatic gonad might extend the lifespan of animals lacking germ cells by promoting the activity of DAF-12/NHR
Summary
Aging and reproduction are two central aspects of an animal’s life history. Evolutionary theorists have long hypothesized that an intrinsic cost to reproduction may shorten lifespan [1], many studies suggest that the relationship between the reproductive system and lifespan is more complex. Studies in worms, flies, and mice have demonstrated that unknown signals emitted by the reproductive tissues can actively modulate lifespan [2,3,4,5]. Reproductive tissues are known to be important signaling centers. The reproductive tissues secrete a variety of hormones such as estrogens and testosterone, which have profound effects on development and behavior. Little is known about how signals from the reproductive tissues can affect aging
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