A team from Fudan University and EPFL demonstrates that RNAi silencing of intestinal v-ATPase subunits in Caenorhabditis elegans activates a novel Lysosomal Surveillance Response (LySR). LySR is governed by the GATA transcription factor ELT-2 and CBP-1 acetyltransferase, upregulating lysosomal proteases and enhancing proteostasis to extend healthspan.
Key points
- Targeted RNAi of intestinal v-ATPase subunits (vha-6, vha-8, vha-14, vha-15, vha-20) in C. elegans triggers LySR and extends lifespan by ~60%.
- LySR induction requires CBP-1-mediated H3K27 acetylation and ELT-2 binding to a specific promoter motif, upregulating lysosomal proteases like CPR-5.
- Enhanced lysosomal acidification and cathepsin maturation improve proteostasis, clearing aggregates in Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and ALS worm models.
Why it matters: Identifying a conserved lysosome-centered longevity mechanism opens new therapeutic avenues to combat age-related proteotoxic diseases by enhancing cellular clearance pathways.
Q&A
- What is the Lysosomal Surveillance Response (LySR)?
- Why silence v-ATPase instead of activating it?
- How do ELT-2 and CBP-1 collaborate in LySR activation?
- What models demonstrate LySR benefits?