Chromatin-modifying genetic interventions suppress age-associated transposable element activation and extend life span in Drosophila

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Significance Most eukaryotic genomes contain abundant transposable elements (TEs), mobile DNA elements that can replicate and move within the genome. Because of the deleterious nature of active TEs, cells have mechanisms to suppress and prevent TE activation, including formation of repressive heterochromatin. In this report, we show that many TEs become activated with age in Drosophila , and this activation is prevented by dietary restriction, an intervention known to extend life span. We also show TE activation is blocked by genetic manipulations that stabilize heterochromatin and increase life span. This study provides evidence that a breakdown in TE silencing and repression may be a contributing factor to aging, and preventing TE activation may be a significant method of ameliorating the diseases of aging.