Dissecting Anti-Cancer and Anti-Aging Mechanisms via the C. elegans-microbiota-drug-interaction

利用秀麗線蟲與微生物及藥物關係探討抗癌與抗老化機制

The intestinal microbiota of humans supports essential functions. Alteration of the microbiota, known as dysbiosis, is associated with aging and a wide spectrum of disorders, including cancer. The complexity and diversity of the human microbiota poses a challenge for investigating the molecular mechanism of the microbiota in physiology and pathology. Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism, possesses genetic tractability and certain similarities to the microbiota in humans, and has been employed for understanding how the microbiota may impact aging and the development of certain cancers. The development of culture independent technologies could shed light on the function of the microbiota and the microbiome. This mini-review aims to update current understanding regarding the human microbiota during aging and immune development. Examples of using C. elegans as an ideal model in studying the intricate host-microbe-drug interaction, particularly in metformin-derived anti-cancer and anti-aging effects, are discussed.

人類腸道的微生物菌群產生變化時，常與老化和癌症有關。由於秀麗線蟲與人類遺傳基因之間有著高度的保留性且容易操作遺傳特徵，因此近年來已成為研究宿主與微生物間相互作用。本專題回顧人類微生物菌群在老化和免疫的最新進展。同時也利用秀麗線蟲模型應用在研究宿主與微生物和藥物間的相互作用作為範例，探討二甲雙胍類藥物抗老化和抗癌在人類與線蟲的共同機制。