A lysosomal surveillance response (LySR) that reduces proteotoxicity and extends healthspan

Abstract

Lysosomes are cytoplasmic organelles central for the degradation of macromolecules to maintain cellular homeostasis and health. Here, we discovered an adaptive lysosomal transcriptional response that we termed the Lysosomal Surveillance Response (LySR). Typified by the induction of a large group of transcripts involved in lysosomal function and proteolysis, the LySR can be triggered by silencing of specific vacuolar H+-ATPase subunits in Caenorhabditis elegans. Notably, LySR activation enhances the clearance of protein aggregates in worm models of Alzheimers and Huntingtons disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, thereby boosting fitness and extending lifespan. The GATA transcription factor, ELT-2, regulates the LySR program as well as its associated beneficial effects. In mammalian cells, overexpression of GATA4/GATA6, the mammalian orthologs of ELT-2, is sufficient to induce the expression of multiple lysosome-specific proteases and alleviate proteotoxicity. Activating the LySR pathway may therefore represent an attractive mechanism to reduce proteotoxicity and, as such, potentially extend healthspan. HighlightsO_LIRNAi of specific v-ATPase subunits extends C. elegans lifespan and activates LySR C_LIO_LIGATA transcription factor ELT-2 regulates LySR and LySR-associated lifespan extension C_LIO_LILySR activation reduces protein aggregates and extends worm healthspan C_LIO_LIOverexpression of GATA4/GATA6 alleviates amyloid-{beta} proteotoxicity in mammalian cells C_LI