Biomedical Sciences ETDs
Publication Date
Summer 7-29-2025
Abstract
Aging is a multifaceted biological process characterized by the progressive decline in physiological integrity, ultimately leading to impaired function and increased vulnerability to disease. One emerging aging intervention involves the modulation of the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) via the transcription factor ATF-4, a conserved regulator of longevity across species. This dissertation investigates the effects of tRNA synthetase inhibitors- compounds that activate ATF-4 signaling- on lifespan and healthspan in Caenorhabditis elegans. I hypothesize that tRNA synthetase inhibition will lead to increased lifespan, healthspan, and autophagy in C. elegans in an atf-4-dependent manner. This work supports a conserved mechanism of longevity via translational control of ATF-4 and highlights tRNA synthetase inhibitors as a promising new class of geroprotective compounds.
Keywords
aging, C. elegans, ATF-4, gcn4, ATF4, lifespan
Document Type
Dissertation
Language
English
Degree Name
Biomedical Sciences
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Department Name
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
First Committee Member (Chair)
Laura Gonzalez Bosc
Second Committee Member
Mark McCormick
Third Committee Member
Amy Gardiner
Fourth Committee Member
William Curt Hines
Fifth Committee Member
Alexander Mendenhall
Recommended Citation
Heath, Olivia. "Effect of tRNA synthetase inhibitors on aging in Caenorhabditis elegans." (2025). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/biom_etds/286