Bacteria-derived metabolite, methylglyoxal, modulates the longevity of through TORC2/SGK-1/DAF-16 signaling.

Gut microbes play diverse roles in modulating host fitness, including longevity; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying their mediation of longevity remain poorly understood. We performed genome-wide screens using 3,792 mutants and identified 44 mutants that modulated longevity. Three of these mutants modulated longevity via the bacterial metabolite methylglyoxal (MG). Importantly, we found that low MG-producing mutants, , extended the lifespan of through activation of the DAF-16/FOXO family transcription factor and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR). Interestingly, the lifespan modulation by did not require insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling (IIS) but did require TORC2/SGK-1 signaling. Transcriptome analysis revealed that activated novel class 3 DAF-16 target genes that were distinct from those regulated by IIS. Taken together, our data suggest that bacteria-derived MG modulates host longevity through regulation of the host signaling pathways rather than through nonspecific damage on biomolecules known as advanced glycation end products. Finally, we demonstrate that MG enhances the phosphorylation of hSGK1 and accelerates cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts, suggesting the conserved role of MG in controlling longevity across species. Together, our studies demonstrate that bacteria-derived MG is a novel therapeutic target for aging and aging-associated pathophysiology.