Joshua Berg
Pronouns: He/him/his
Research Mentor(s): Gonzalo Garcia
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Pathology / Medicine
Program: UROP
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Authors:
Abstract
Canagliflozin, a drug used to lower glucose in blood, can extend lifespan in mice. The mechanism for which this drug extends lifespan is not currently understood. This study explores the intracellular signaling pathway that canagliflozin may alter. We hypothesize that these changes in intracellular signaling by canagliflozin could be similar to other drugs that extend lifespan. In addition, canagliflozin increases lifespan in male mice but not in females, but the reason for this sexual dimorphism is currently unknown. In this context, another drug, 17-a-estradiol, can extend lifespan in males but not in females. This suggests a common mechanism with canagliflozin. By comparing effects in signaling pathways between both drugs it may be possible to infer what makes these signaling pathways important to lifespan extension. To address this question, tissue from the mice, treated or untreated with Canagliflozin for 16 months, was collected and changes in key protein levels from the signaling pathway were measured via western blots. The two main pathways currently studied are related to mTOR signaling as well as the ERK1-2 signaling pathway. The result of this study may point out key changes in these signaling pathways that would lead to healthy tissue and lifespan extension.
