Cited by 187Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model OrganismsAutophagy in Disease and TherapySirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine

Tomatidine Enhances Lifespan and Healthspan in C. elegans through Mitophagy Induction Via the SKN-1/Nrf2 Pathway

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Fang, Evandro F., Waltz, Tyler B., Kassahun, Henok, Lu, Qiping, Kerr, Jesse S., Morevati, Marya, Fivenson, Elayne M., Wollman, Bradley N. +12 more·2017·Scientific Reports

Abstract

Aging is a major international concern that brings formidable socioeconomic and healthcare challenges. Small molecules capable of improving the health of older individuals are being explored. Small molecules that enhance cellular stress resistance are a promising avenue to alleviate declines seen in human aging. Tomatidine, a natural compound abundant in unripe tomatoes, inhibits age-related skeletal muscle atrophy in mice. Here we show that tomatidine extends lifespan and healthspan in C. elegans, an animal model of aging which shares many major longevity pathways with mammals. Tomatidine improves many C. elegans behaviors related to healthspan and muscle health, including increased pharyngeal pumping, swimming movement, and reduced percentage of severely damaged muscle cells. Microarray, imaging, and behavioral analyses reveal that tomatidine maintains mitochondrial homeostasis by modulating mitochondrial biogenesis and PINK-1/DCT-1-dependent mitophagy. Mechanistically, tomatidine induces mitochondrial hormesis by mildly inducing ROS production, which in turn activates the SKN-1/Nrf2 pathway and possibly other cellular antioxidant response pathways, followed by increased mitophagy. This mechanism occurs in C. elegans, primary rat neurons, and human cells. Our data suggest that tomatidine may delay some physiological aspects of aging, and points to new approaches for pharmacological interventions for diseases of aging.

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  1. Fang E. F.. Nuclear DNA damage signalling to mitochondria in ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol (2016). PMC5161407 26956196
  2. Scheibye-Knudsen M., Fang E. F., Croteau D. L., Wilson D. M. 3rd & Bohr V. A. Protecting the mitochondrial powerhouse. Trends Cell Biol (2014). PMC5576887 25499735

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Authors
Fang, E. F., Waltz, T. B., Kassahun, H., Lu, Q., Kerr, J. S., Morevati, M., Fivenson, E. M., Wollman, B. N., Marosi, K., Wilson, M. A., Iser, W. B., Eckley, D. M., Zhang, Y., Lehrmann, E., Goldberg, I. G., Scheibye-Knudsen, M., Mattson, M. P., Nilsen, H., Bohr, V. A., & Becker, K. G.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • University of Oslo (NO)
Corresponding author
  • Bohr, Vilhelm A.
  • Becker, Kevin G.
Venue
Scientific Reports
Published
2017-04-11
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
46208-46208
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2606837944
Cited by
187
References
66
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 6
FWCI
6.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
National Institute on Aging
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Sirtuins and Resveratrol in Medicine
Keywords
tomatidine, lifespan extension, healthspan, aging, mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial homeostasis, skeletal muscle atrophy, Caenorhabditis elegans, neuroprotection
MeSH terms
Animals, Organelle Biogenesis, DNA-Binding Proteins, Gene Expression Regulation, Longevity, Mitochondria, Muscles, Stress, Physiological, Tomatine, Transcription Factors, Signal Transduction, Caenorhabditis elegans, Reactive Oxygen Species, Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins, NF-E2-Related Factor 2, Transcriptome, Mitophagy

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