Effects of amp-activated kinase modulators on intracellular ca2+ signalling and c. Elegans lifespan

Abstract

AMPK is a key energy homeostasis regulator that coordinates metabolic pathways by balancing the supply of nutrients with energy demand. Current evidence supports the idea that anabolic signalling accelerates aging, while a decrease in nutrient signalling pathways extends longevity. In this way, a pharmacological intervention that mimics a limited availability of nutrients or activates catabolic pathways could extend longevity. Likewise, it is believed that the positive regulation of AMPK would favor a healthy aging. As the concepts of energy balance and nutrient-sensitive pathways are considered nowadays key determinants of lifespan, and Ca2+ signalling is tightly related to both of them, the main goal of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between the activity of the AMPK signalling pathway, intracellular Ca2+ signalling and aging in C. elegans, using AMPK modulating compounds and their analogs.