Diapause Formation and Downregulation of Insulin-Like Signaling via DAF-16/FOXO Delays Axonal Degeneration and Neuronal Loss
Figure 6
Dietary restriction inhibits mec-4d–dependent neuronal degeneration in C. elegans.
(A–B) The influence of dietary restriction (DR) in TRN degeneration was investigated by fasting mec-4d worms intermittently with a protocol consisting of 3 hours of ad libitum food regime followed by 9 hours of starvation. After 72 hours, the worms on DR show a significant protection of both AVM somas (A) and axons (B) compared to the 72 hours ad libitum fed worms (mean value for each category is shown; error bars [<1%] not included; N = 3 of 30 worms each per group; *p<0.005 by Student's t test compared with control for the SoW and AxW category). (C) AVM neuron with a morphologically conserved soma and axon from a mec-4d worm subjected to DR for 72 hours by means of intermittent fasting. Scale bar, 10 µm.