Microbial Genetic Composition Tunes Host Longevity.

ABSTRACT: Homeostasis of the gut microbiota critically influences host health and aging. Developing genetically engineered probiotics holds great promise as a new therapeutic paradigm to promote healthy aging. Here, through screening 3,983 Escherichia coli mutants, we discovered that 29 bacterial genes, when deleted, increase longevity in the host Caenorhabditis elegans. A dozen of these bacterial mutants also protect the host from age-related progression of tumor growth and amyloid-beta accumulation. Mechanistically, we discovered that five bacterial mutants promote longevity through increased secretion of the polysaccharide colanic acid (CA), which regulates mitochondrial dynamics and unfolded protein response (UPR^mt) in the host. Purified CA polymers are sufficient to promote longevity

SUBMITTER: Han B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5635830 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature