GABA signaling triggered by TMC-1/Tmc delays neuronal aging by inhibiting the PKC pathway in C. elegans

Sci Adv. 2022 Dec 21;8(51):eadc9236. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adc9236. Epub 2022 Dec 21.

Abstract

Aging causes functional decline and degeneration of neurons and is a major risk factor of neurodegenerative diseases. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal aging, we developed a new pipeline for neuronal proteomic profiling in young and aged animals. While the overall translational machinery is down-regulated, certain proteins increase expressions upon aging. Among these aging-up-regulated proteins, the conserved channel protein TMC-1/Tmc has an anti-aging function in all neurons tested, and the neuroprotective function of TMC-1 occurs by regulating GABA signaling. Moreover, our results show that metabotropic GABA receptors and G protein GOA-1/Goα are required for the anti-neuronal aging functions of TMC-1 and GABA, and the activation of GABA receptors prevents neuronal aging by inhibiting the PLCβ-PKC pathway. Last, we show that the TMC-1-GABA-PKC signaling axis suppresses neuronal functional decline caused by a pathogenic form of human Tau protein. Together, our findings reveal the neuroprotective function of the TMC-1-GABA-PKC signaling axis in aging and disease conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Proteomics*
  • Receptors, GABA / metabolism
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Substances

  • Receptors, GABA
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • TMC-1 protein, C elegans
  • Ion Channels