Phytoene and Phytoene-Rich Microalgae Extracts Extend Lifespan in C. elegans and Protect against Amyloid-ß Toxicity in an Alzheimer's Disease Model.

Phytoene is a colourless carotenoid widely available from dietary sources and a precursor for the synthesis of other carotenoids. Although present at high concentrations across different tissues, phytoene is largely viewed as not having physiological activity. Here, we utilize the model organism C. elegans to show that phytoene is bioactive and has anti-ageing properties. Supplementation with phytoene protects against oxidative damage and amyloid-ß42 proteotoxicity (a major pathology of Alzheimer's disease), and extends lifespan. We also examine extracts from two microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana and Dunaliella bardawil. We show that the extracts contain high levels of phytoene, and find that these phytoene-rich extracts have protective effects similar to pure phytoene. Our findings show that phytoene is a bioactive molecule with positive effects on ageing and longevity. Our work also suggests that phytoene-rich microalgae extracts can utilized to produce foods or supplements that promote healthy ageing and prevent the development of chronic age-related diseases.

Controlling the structure of supramolecular fibre formation for benzothiazole based hydrogels with antimicrobial activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest threats to human health. Gram-positive methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in both its planktonic and biofilm form, is of particular concern. Herein we identify the hydrogelation properties for a series of intrinsically fluorescent, structurally related supramolecular self-associating amphiphiles and determine their efficacy against both planktonic and biofilm forms of MRSA. To further explore the potential translation of this hydrogel technology for real-world applications, the toxicity of the amphiphiles was determined against the eukaryotic multicellular model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans. Due to the intrinsic fluorescent nature of these supramolecular amphiphiles, material characterisation of their molecular self-associating properties included; comparative optical density plate reader assays, rheometry and widefield fluorescence microscopy. This enabled determination of amphiphile structure and hydrogel sol dependence on resultant fibre formation.

mRNA decapping is an evolutionarily conserved modulator of neuroendocrine signaling that controls development and ageing.

Eukaryotic 5'-3' mRNA decay plays important roles during development and in response to stress, regulating gene expression post-transcriptionally. In Caenorhabditis elegans, deficiency of DCAP-1/DCP1, the essential co-factor of the major cytoplasmic mRNA decapping enzyme, impacts normal development, stress survival and ageing. Here, we show that overexpression of dcap-1 in neurons of worms is sufficient to increase lifespan through the function of the insulin/IGF-like signaling and its effector DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor. Neuronal DCAP-1 affects basal levels of INS-7, an ageing-related insulin-like peptide, which acts in the intestine to determine lifespan. Short-lived dcap-1 mutants exhibit a neurosecretion-dependent upregulation of intestinal ins-7 transcription, and diminished nuclear localization of DAF-16/FOXO. Moreover, neuronal overexpression of DCP1 in Drosophila melanogaster confers longevity in adults, while neuronal DCP1 deficiency shortens lifespan and affects wing morphogenesis, cell non-autonomously. Our genetic analysis in two model-organisms suggests a critical and conserved function of DCAP-1/DCP1 in developmental events and lifespan modulation.