Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular basis of diseaseSep 19, 2017

Using genetic methods to find metabolism-related aging pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans

Updated Mar 30, 2026

Abstract

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a valuable model for studying the genetic and environmental factors influencing aging.

Aging mechanisms are linked to metabolic pathways and regulated by various genes.
Gene by environment interactions can be explored using C. elegans through different genetic approaches.
Wild populations of C. elegans may reveal the genetic basis for variations in longevity.
Research in this area could contribute to developing new therapies for age-associated disorders.

Simplified

The biological mechanisms of aging have been studied in depth and prominent findings in this field promote the development of new therapies for age-associated disorders. Various model organisms are used for research on aging; among these, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been widely used and has provided valuable knowledge in determining the regulatory mechanisms driving the aging process. Many genes involved in lifespan regulation are associated with metabolic pathways and are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. In line with this, C. elegans provides a promising platform to study such gene by environment interactions, in either a reverse or forward genetics approach. In this review, we discuss longevity mechanisms related to metabolic networks that have been discovered in C. elegans. We also highlight the use of wild populations to study the complex genetic basis of natural variation for quantitative traits that mediate longevity.

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