Aging: Dial M for Mitochondria

A major goal of aging research is to identify interventions that prolong lifespan in distantly related organisms. In recent years, genetic studies in both nematodes and rodents have reported that moderate inactivation of genes important for mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) function can promote longevity. We performed an RNAi screen to probe the role of ETC components in modulating lifespan in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. In this Research Perspective, we discuss our findings and how they may relate to similar studies in worms and mice.