Magnetotactic Bacteria Extended C. elegans Lifespan by 43.39% in New Study
Researchers led by Professor An Shu of the Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, found that the magnetotactic bacterium Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 extended the healthy lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The study also identified a potential mechanism behind this effect: the inhibition of ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death.
The findings were reported in Free Radical Biology and Medicine.
Magnetotactic Bacteria and Healthy Aging
Aging gradually reduces normal physiological function and increases the risk of many chronic diseases. Researchers are exploring drugs and genetic approaches as potential anti-aging strategies, but questions remain about their safety and practical clinical use.
Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) offer a different potential approach. These microorganisms contain specialized structures called magnetosomes and exhibit good biocompatibility. Although MTB have attracted attention for possible applications in drug delivery and cancer therapy, their effects on aging have remained largely unexplored.
To investigate this question, the research team tested the MTB strain AMB-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans, a nematode widely used as a model organism for aging research.
AMB-1 Extended Lifespan by More Than 43%
C. elegans treated with AMB-1 survived significantly longer than untreated worms. Their average lifespan increased by 43.39%. The treatment also helped preserve neurological function and intestinal integrity in older worms.
The researchers then examined whether magnetosome production was important to the effect. Their results indicated that the ability to generate magnetosomes played a major role in lifespan extension.
Wild-type AMB-1 produced stronger longevity effects than reversible non-magnetotactic RNM-AMB-1. By contrast, non-magnetotactic NM-AMB-1 did not extend lifespan.
How Magnetotactic Bacteria May Slow Age-Related Cell Death
Further experiments provided clues about how AMB-1 may produce its effects. The bacterium reduced iron accumulation in the worms, lowered lipid peroxidation, and inhibited aging-associated ferroptosis.
Ferroptosis is a form of cell death associated with intracellular iron accumulation and oxidative damage to lipids. Genetic analysis showed that several ferroptosis-related pathways were involved in AMB-1-mediated lifespan regulation, including ftn-1, Buri-3, and Advertisement-1.
According to the researchers, these findings establish a potential microbial strategy for anti-aging interventions and provide foundational evidence that may support the broader investigation of magnetotactic bacteria in geriatric medicine.
Source: www.sciencedaily.com