Pelota-mediated ribosome-associated quality control counteracts aging and age-associated pathologies across species

J Jongsun Lee B Bora Lee (Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology) H Hyein Lee (Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology) E Eun Ji E. Kim (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) S Sieun S. Kim (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) H Hyunwoo C. Kwon H Hanseul Lee (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) G Gee-Yoon Lee (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) W Woojin Hong (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) S Seokjin Ham (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) J Jae Won Yang (Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology) H Heeju Park (Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology) T Tatiana M. Moreno (Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute) M Michelle E. Brown (Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute) H Hae-Eun H. Park (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) E Eunah Kim (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) Y Yoonji Jung (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) E Eunseok Kang (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) S Sangsoon Park (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) Y Yeo Jin Shin (Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology) S Seokjun G. Ha S Sujeong Kwon (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) S Seungjae Hwang (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) H Hyemin Min (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) C Caroline Kumsta (Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute) C Chunghun Lim (Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) C Chanhee Kang (School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu) J Jinsoo Seo (Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology) K Kwang-Pyo Lee (Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology) S Seung-Jae V. Lee

Abstract

Ribosome-associated quality control (RQC) is a pivotal biological process that governs the fidelity of messenger RNA (mRNA) homeostasis and protein synthesis. Defects in RQC are implicated in cellular dysfunction and proteotoxicity, but their impact on aging remains elusive. Here, we show that Pelota, the ribosome rescue factor, promotes longevity and protects against age-related pathological phenotypes in multiple metazoan species. By performing a targeted genetic screen, we find that Pelota is indispensable for longevity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans . We show that Pelota mitigates premature senescence in cultured human cells, muscle aging in mice, and neuropathology in cellular and organoid models of Alzheimer’s disease. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Pelota maintains autophagy-mediated proteostasis, by preventing the hyperactivation of mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling. Overall, our work highlights the conserved functional significance of RQC, regulated by Pelota, in extending lifespan and protecting diverse species against age-associated disease phenotypes.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 122, Issue 32
Published August 12, 2025
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (30)

J

Jongsun Lee

B

Bora Lee

Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

H

Hyein Lee

Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology

E

Eun Ji E. Kim

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

S

Sieun S. Kim

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

H

Hyunwoo C. Kwon

H

Hanseul Lee

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

G

Gee-Yoon Lee

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

W

Woojin Hong

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

S

Seokjin Ham

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

J

Jae Won Yang

Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

H

Heeju Park

Department of Biological Sciences, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

T

Tatiana M. Moreno

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

M

Michelle E. Brown

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

H

Hae-Eun H. Park

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

E

Eunah Kim

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Y

Yoonji Jung

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

E

Eunseok Kang

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

S

Sangsoon Park

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Y

Yeo Jin Shin

Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

S

Seokjun G. Ha

S

Sujeong Kwon

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

S

Seungjae Hwang

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

H

Hyemin Min

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

C

Caroline Kumsta

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

C

Chunghun Lim

Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

C

Chanhee Kang

School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu

J

Jinsoo Seo

Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology

K

Kwang-Pyo Lee

Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

S

Seung-Jae V. Lee