Multiple sensory G proteins in the olfactory gustatory and nociceptive neurons modulate longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans

The life span of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is under control of sensory signals detected by the amphid neurons. In these neurons, C elegans expresses at least 13 G alpha subunits and a G gamma subunit, which are involved in the transduction and modulation of sensory signals. Here, we show that loss-of-function mutations in the Ga subunits odr-3, gpa-1 and gpa-9, in the G gamma subunit gpc-1 and the introduction of extra copies of the G alpha subunit gpa-11 extend the life span of C elegans. Loss-of-function of odr-3 and extra copies of gpa-11 act synergistically and can together extend life span more than two-fold, indicating that sensory signals play an important role in regulating life span. We show that gpa-1, gpa-11, odr-3 and gpc-1 all signal via the daf-16 FOXO family transcription factor. In addition, odr-3 and gpa-11 might suppress life span extension partially independent of the insulin/IGF-1 like receptor homologue daf-2. Our results suggest that the previously unanticipated nociceptive ASH and/or ADL neurons regulate longevity. We expect that the implication of specific G proteins will eventually contribute to the identification of the sensory cues that determine the rate of aging in C elegans. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.