A new study has revealed that the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans—a microscopic worm widely used in research—can pass longer lifespans to its offspring through epigenetic mechanisms, even when the descendants themselves do not carry genetic modifications. This finding offers a fresh perspective on how traits can be inherited beyond DNA sequences.
Scientists at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute extended the nematodes' lifespan by 60% by boosting the activity of certain lysosomal enzymes. Surprisingly, this longevity benefit persisted for several generations. Even in the fourth generation, offspring with no genetic engineering still showed clear signs of extended life.
Further experiments confirmed that the effect was not due to DNA changes but to epigenetic processes. Signals triggered by lysosomal activity in body cells were carried into reproductive cells via specific histone variants. These histones acted as information carriers, creating lasting epigenetic marks that allowed the longevity trait to be inherited without altering the genetic code.
The study also showed that environmental factors, such as fasting, could activate the same pathway. When nematodes experienced hunger, changes in their lysosomal metabolism set off the same signal chain, providing direct experimental evidence of how living conditions can influence future generations.
Nematodes Show How Longevity Can Be Passed Without DNA Changes
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