UC San Diego

We sought to determine if the genes shown to be required for DR to increase lifespan are also critical for DR mediated protection against proteotoxicity. Here we report the novel finding that some of these genes, hsf-1 and skn- 1, are necessary for both DR mediated lifespan extension and protection from proteotoxicity, while other genes, pha -4 and wwp-1 play only a critical role in DR induced longevity and are dispensable for the DR protective response. Additionally, we identify potential downstream targets of this DR protective response, including components of the autophagy degradation pathway