The aak-2 gene and its possible relation to ageing in roundworms

Symbol

aak-2

Name

AMP-Activated Kinase

Organism

Caenorhabditis elegans (AnAge)

Known functions and activities

Energy sensor and signal transduction

Observations

Transgenic animals with a higher aak-2 gene dose live on average 13% longer than controls.

% change in avg or median lifespan

Mean lifespan is 13% higher.

Lifespan Effect

Increase

Genetic Manipulation

Overexpression

Longevity Category

Pro-Longevity

Primary reference

Observations

Constitutively activated aak-2 increased worm lifespan however induced detrimental pleiotropic side effects including small body size and a reduced reproductive capacity. Worms also showed increased heat resistance, demonstrating a 125% increase in median lifespan at 33 degrees Celsius compared to wild type animals. The lifespan extension effect was dependent on crtc-1 at low temperatures but not high ones.

Lifespan Effect

Increases

Genetic Manipulation

Overexpression

Longevity Category

Pro-Longevity

Primary reference

Observations

Constitutively activated aak-2 increased worm lifespan however induced detrimental pleiotropic side effects including small body size and a reduced reproductive capacity. Worms also showed increased heat resistance, demonstrating a 125% increase in median lifespan at 33 degrees Celsius compared to wild type animals. The lifespan extension effect was dependent on crtc-1 at low temperatures but not high ones.

Lifespan Effect

Increases

Genetic Manipulation

Overexpression

Primary reference

Observations

Constitutively activated aak-2 increased worm lifespan however induced detrimental pleiotropic side effects including small body size and a reduced reproductive capacity. Worms also showed increased heat resistance, demonstrating a 125% increase in median lifespan at 33 degrees Celsius compared to wild type animals. The lifespan extension effect was dependent on crtc-1 at low temperatures but not high ones.

Lifespan Effect

Increases

Genetic Manipulation

Overexpression

Longevity Category

Pro-Longevity

Primary reference

Observations

Constitutively activated aak-2 increased worm lifespan however induced detrimental pleiotropic side effects including small body size and a reduced reproductive capacity. Worms also showed increased heat resistance, demonstrating a 125% increase in median lifespan at 33 degrees Celsius compared to wild type animals. The lifespan extension effect was dependent on crtc-1 at low temperatures but not high ones.

Lifespan Effect

Increases

Genetic Manipulation

Overexpression

Longevity Category

Pro-Longevity

Primary reference

Observations

Could be a sensor that couples energy levels and insulin-like signals to lifespan. Knockout mutants have a 12% shorter lifespan.

% change in avg or median lifespan

Lifespan is 12% lower.

Lifespan Effect