Research the literature on your own (or suggested assignment)

Differences in lifespan between species were alluded to at the beginning of the lecture.  What can we learn from comparing species that have vastly different lifespans?  (Hint: Search the literature for “naked mole rats” and “aging”)

The insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway regulates aging in both C. elegans and mice.  However, knockdown of the IGF-1 receptor in mice must be tissue-specific (adipose only) to extend lifespan.  Is there any evidence for tissue-specific activities of the insulin/IGF-1-like receptor DAF-2 in C. elegans?  Does it matter where daf-2 is expressed?  In which tissues of the animal is the insulin/IGF-1 pathway important for the regulation of aging?  (Hint: look at the references listed in the advanced reading section.)

 

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