Intracellular lipid surveillance and nuclear hormone receptor dynamics in age determination
Lipid signaling plays an essential role in the regulation of human physiology and metabolism. Imbalances in lipid homeostasis can negatively impact healthy aging and cells within the organism tightly regulate lipid absorption, production and degradation to accommodate energetic demands and ensure energetic reserves later in life. Dr. Douglas and colleagues recently reported how cells within an animal sense metabolic demand caused by lipid loss and respond by increasing nutrient absorption. While this lipid sensing pathway becomes more active throughout the life of the animal, its role in the aging process is not clear. NHR-49 is the nuclear hormone receptor responsible for triggering this pathway and allowing for healthy aging. The Douglas lab will investigate how different post-translational modifications on this receptor impact lipid sensing and age progression.
