a, Increased excitation of ASH neurons following RNAi
against the GABA vesicular transporter unc-47. GCaMP
imaging was performed on worms with enhanced neuronal RNAi (See Figure 3 legend and Methods for details) for unc-47 (n=37)
or controls (n=43) at day 2. **P= 6.8e-3 by the Mann–Whitney U test.
b, RNAi for unc-47 reduces lifespan. Worms
with enhanced neuronal RNAi were treated with unc-47 (n=31)
or control RNAi (n=84). Shown is a representative lifespan analysis
replicated 3 times. P= 1.3e-6 by log-rank test. c, Reduction of
synaptic neurotransmission or neuropeptide signaling extend lifespan in
C. elegans. Mutations in genes affecting glutamatergic
neurotransmission (eat-4), presynaptic function
(unc-13) and neuropeptide signaling
(egl-3) exhibit comparable lifespan extension. WT,
n=57; eat-4(nj2), n=54. P≤2.2e-16;
unc-13(e51), n=92, P=3.6e-14;
egl-3(gk238), n=35, P=8.3e-11 by
log-rank test. Shown are curves representative of two independent
replicates. d, Extension of lifespan by egl-3
RNAi in worms with enhanced neuronal RNAi. Shown are lifespan curves
representative of two independent replicates. egl-3 RNAi
(n=47 worms); Empty Vector (n=84 worms). P=3.5e-11 by the log-rank test.