Search for Methuselah Genes Heats Up

Abstract

In a recent article, Morley and Morimoto confirm previous studies suggesting that the transcriptional activator heat shock factor 1 (HSF-1) regulates stress resistance genes that extend longevity independently of DAF-16. They also show that overexpression of HSF-1 in neurons or body-wall muscle cells is sufficient to extend longevity. The role of multiple transcription factors in extending life span in yeast and worms raises the possibility that many transcriptional regulators can contribute to longevity extension.