CaMK modulates sensory neural activity to control longevity and proteostasis
Abstract
The impact of neural activity on aging and longevity remains poorly understood, with limited understanding of the specific neuron groups and molecular mechanisms that regulate lifespan. In this study, we uncover a correlation between human longevity and reduced CaMK4 expression in the frontal cortex. We further show that this link is conserved in Caenorhabditis elegans , where the loss of the homolog CMK-1 leads to increased longevity and enhanced proteostasis. These beneficial effects are primarily driven by suppressed excitation in the primary thermosensory AFD neurons, particularly at elevated temperatures that trigger hyperactivation. In the thermosensory neural circuit, suppression of AFD neuron activity promotes the release of INS-1/insulin from AIZ, which in turn activates DAF-16/FOXO in the intestine. Our findings reveal a causal mechanism through which sensory neural activity governs lifespan and organismal proteostasis, highlighting the significance of CaMK in shaping these processes through the regulation of neural activity.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (8)
Ranran Zhao
Department of Neurology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University
Weiqi Ge
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University
Weikang Xue
Department of Neurology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University
Zaidong Deng
Department of Neurology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University
Jiaze Liu
Department of Neurology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University
Kaiqi Wang
Engineering Research Center of Photoenergy Utilization for Pollution Control and Carbon Reduction, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry
Youngnam N. Jin
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University
Yanxun V. Yu
Department of Neurology, Medical Research Institute, Frontier Science Center of Immunology and Metabolism, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University