It has been known long ago that inhibition of TOR enlarges life span of invertebrates, particularly yeasts, nematodes and fruit flies. However, it has remained undecided for a long time whether inhibition of TOR enlarges life span of mammals. In the experiments carried out by D. Harrison’s team, TOR was inhibited by rapamycin. Three groups of genetically heterogeneous mice were used in the study. It was found that the life span considerably increased in the mice of all three groups: females showed 14 % increase, while males showed 9 % rise. As far as we now know, inhibition of TOR activates macroautophagy. That study has shown for the first time that inhibition of TOR enlarges life span of mammals, not only that of invertebrates.
Place of employment — The Jackson laboratory, USA.
Contacts — 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA(207) 288-6357david. harrison@jax. org .
Publications — Rapamycin fed late in life extends lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice. Harrison DE, Strong R, Sharp ZD, Nelson JF, Astle CM, Flurkey K, Nadon NL, Wilkinson JE, Frenkel K, Carter CS, Pahor M, Javors MA, Fernandez E, Miller RA. Nature 2009 Jul 16;460(7253):392—5.
