Study of the transgenerational effects of caloric restriction on nematodes C. elegans

• Grant number: 14/06124-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Alves da Silva Mori
• Grantee: Silas Pinto da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/52557-0 - Identification of mechanisms responsible for beneficial effects of calorie restriction, AP.JP

Abstract

With the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases related to aging, caloric restriction has been shown to be a promising intervention to be able to increase healthy lifespan in many species, besides preventing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, etc. However, caloric restriction is usually an intervention which requires discipline of the individual, which makes it difficult to achieve. Caloric restriction mechanisms, although elusive, includes classic epigenetic changes such as modifications of histones, DNA methylation, regulation of the expression of microRNAs, and others. It has been shown that some modifications in regulatory complexes of histones can increase lifespan in nematodes C. elegans. This effect can be transmitted in a transgenerational manner through the fifth generation of the worm. In addition, it is known that epigenetic changes involving the germ line of C. elegans, especially those associated with gene silencing by small RNAs and transposons, may affect the fertility of the worm and its offspring. Thus, using genetic models of caloric restriction in C. elegans, this work seeks to assess whether there is a possible hereditary transmission of the effects of caloric restriction to subsequent generations. To accomplish this goal, we will evaluate the transgenerational effect of calorie restriction on lifespan, fertility and health of the worm. With that we envision to identify epigenetic and hereditary mechanisms of caloric restriction.