Cited by 1,035Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model OrganismsMitochondrial Function and PathologyAutophagy in Disease and Therapy

Mitonuclear protein imbalance as a conserved longevity mechanism

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Houtkooper, Riekelt H., Mouchiroud, Laurent, Ryu, Dongryeol, Moullan, Norman, Katsyuba, Elena, Knott, Graham, Williams, Robert W., Auwerx, Johan·2013·Nature

Abstract

Longevity is regulated by a network of closely linked metabolic systems. We used a combination of mouse population genetics and RNA interference in Caenorhabditis elegans to identify mitochondrial ribosomal protein S5 (Mrps5) and other mitochondrial ribosomal proteins as metabolic and longevity regulators. MRP knockdown triggers mitonuclear protein imbalance, reducing mitochondrial respiration and activating the mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Specific antibiotics targeting mitochondrial translation and ethidium bromide (which impairs mitochondrial DNA transcription) pharmacologically mimic mrp knockdown and extend worm lifespan by inducing mitonuclear protein imbalance, a stoichiometric imbalance between nuclear and mitochondrially encoded proteins. This mechanism was also conserved in mammalian cells. In addition, resveratrol and rapamycin, longevity compounds acting on different molecular targets, similarly induced mitonuclear protein imbalance, the mitochondrial unfolded protein response and lifespan extension in C. elegans. Collectively these data demonstrate that MRPs represent an evolutionarily conserved protein family that ties the mitochondrial ribosome and mitonuclear protein imbalance to the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, an overarching longevity pathway across many species.

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Authors
Houtkooper, R. H., Mouchiroud, L., Ryu, D., Moullan, N., Katsyuba, E., Knott, G., Williams, R. W., & Auwerx, J.
Affiliations
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH)
Corresponding author
Auwerx, Johan
Venue
Nature
Published
2013-05-22
Volume
497
Issue
7450
Pages
451-457
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2032022203
Cited by
1,035
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 58 · 2025: 63 · 2024: 83 · 2023: 65 · 2022: 93 · 2021: 100 · 2020: 82 · 2019: 66 · 2018: 82 · 2017: 73 · 2016: 87 · 2015: 82 · 2014: 73 · 2013: 27
FWCI
31.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Infoscience (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) (submittedVersion)
  • Infoscience (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (U01AA14425, U01AA013499, UO1AA13499, U01AA014425)
  • National Institute on Aging (R01AG043930)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (P20 DA 21131, P20DA021131)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Keywords
longevity, mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, mitochondrial unfolded protein response, mitochondrial respiration, lifespan extension, mitochondrial translation, ethidium bromide, resveratrol, rapamycin, BXD mouse strains, Caenorhabditis elegans
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Doxycycline, Female, Longevity, Male, Mice, Inbred Strains, Mitochondria, Ribosomal Proteins, Reproducibility of Results, Caenorhabditis elegans, Evolution, Molecular, Sirolimus, Mitochondrial Proteins, Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins, RNA Interference, Quantitative Trait Loci, Mice, Unfolded Protein Response

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