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Daf-2
The daf-2 gene encodes an insulin-like receptor in the worm C. elegans. Mutations in daf-2 have been shown to double the lifespan of the worms. The gene is known to regulate reproductive development, ageing, resistance to oxidative stress , thermotolerance, resistance to hypoxia, and also resistance to bacterial pathogens.
DAF-2 is the only insulin/IGF-1 like receptor in the worm. Insulin/IGF-1-like signaling is conserved from worms to humans. DAF-2 acts to negatively regulate the forkhead transcription factor DAF-16 through a phosphorylation cascade. Genetic analysis reveals that DAF-16 is required for daf-2-dependent lifespan extension and dauer formation. When not phosphorylated, DAF-16 is active and present in the nucleus.
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Last updated: 05-21-2005 18:02:06
10-26-2009 08:16:03
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details