Micronutrients & recovery
Methionine restriction extends chronological lifespan in yeast by inducing autophagy, which subsequently stimulates vacuolar acidification; this pathway is strictly dependent on functional autophagy genes (ATG5, ATG7, ATG8).
In yeast models, restricting the amino acid methionine significantly extends lifespan by triggering a cellular cleanup process called autophagy, which requires the vacuole to become more acidic. This effect is lost if the autophagy genes are disabled. While this is a yeast model, it suggests that amino acid composition, specifically methionine levels, may play a critical role in triggering cellular maintenance pathways relevant to aging.
Here, we report that methionine restriction (MetR) extends yeast chronological lifespan in an autophagy-dependent manner. Single deletion of several genes essential for autophagy (ATG5, ATG7 or ATG8) fully abolished the longevity-enhancing capacity of MetR.
Why this rating
High-quality mechanistic evidence using isogenic yeast strains with genetic knockouts and pharmacological inhibitors, though limited to a single model organism.
Source
Lifespan Extension by Methionine Restriction Requires Autophagy-Dependent Vacuolar Acidification
Christoph Ruckenstuhl et al. · PLoS Genetics · 2014
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