Biomedical Sciences ETDs
Publication Date
7-10-2024
Abstract
Aging is a phenomenon that brings aches, pains and a risk of developing diseases. Many researchers have discovered pathways that regulate aging by altering gene expression. Understanding genetic regulation of aging is key but identifying drugs that target aging will result in translatable treatments. Additionally, understanding how drugs are interacting with our cells allows us to create targeted therapies. I study two types of drugs. First, tRNA synthetase inhibitors are a class of drugs that inhibit charging of tRNAs. I identified a mechanism of lifespan extension by upregulation of the conserved transcription factor, Gcn4 / Atf-4. Second, I found that SNF1 and autophagy are required for berberine induced lifespan extension in yeast. These results show that anti-aging drugs can be studied in basic model organisms and that they can be used to identify the targets and mechanisms of drugs that could be used to treat human aging and age-related diseases.
Keywords
yeast, aging, worms, drugs, lifespan
Sponsors
NIH 5P20GM121176, NIH R01AG07077601, a Longevity Impetus Grant, a Glenn Foundation for Medical Research / American Federation for Aging Research Junior Investigator Grant, an American Federation for Aging Research Reboot Award, a UNM SOM RAC New Investigator Award, and a Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development / New York Academy of Sciences Longevity Interstellar Initiative Award
Document Type
Dissertation
Language
English
Degree Name
Biomedical Sciences
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Department Name
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
First Committee Member (Chair)
William Curt Hines III
Second Committee Member
Mark A. McCormick
Third Committee Member
Mary Ann Osley
Fourth Committee Member
Jing Pu
Recommended Citation
Robbins, Christine E.. "Conserved Mechanisms of Drug Induced Lifespan Extension in S. cerevisiae and C. elegans." (2024). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/biom_etds/258