Gut & MicrobiomeEngineered Gut Yeast Extends Fly Lifespan by 10%+ and Boosts Mitochondrial Energy
Researchers screened nearly 2,000 single-gene knockout strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Drosophila melanogaster, identifying 14 yeast mutants that significantly extended fly lifespan. Thirteen of these mutants increased male lifespan by more than 10%, and 10 also extended female lifespan. Beyond survival, 13 mutants improved locomotor function in aged flies, and 2 enhanced reproductive capacity. Metabolomic analysis of fly guts showed these mutants rejuvenated age-related metabolic decline, while proteomic profiling of non-gut tissues revealed widespread upregulation of mitochondrial proteins. The terpenoid compound ergosterol acetate emerged as a key longevity-promoting metabolite. These findings point to a gut-mitochondrial axis as a central mechanism through which gut microbes extend healthy lifespan, and suggest that genetically engineered probiotics could be a viable anti-aging strategy.
