Autophagy activator AA-20 improves proteostasis and extends <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> lifespan.

ABSTRACT: The degradation of cellular components through autophagy is essential for longevity and healthy aging. However, autophagy function decreases with aging, contributing to age-related diseases. In this study, we characterized a small-molecule activator of autophagy called AA-20 that enhances autophagy and lipid droplet clearance in human cells and in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. AA-20 reduces polyglutamine aggregation in an autophagy-dependent manner in both human cells and C. elegans, where it also promotes fitness. Consistently, we found that AA-20 extends lifespan in WT C. elegans, but not in autophagy-deficient mutants. Interestingly, our findings suggest that AA-20 acts, at least in part, through a mechanism involving the transcrip

SUBMITTER: Tan EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12358921 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature