The peptide Acein promotes dopamine secretion through clec-126 to extend the lifespan of elderly C. elegans .

Dopamine plays a crucial role in regulating brain activity and movement and modulating human behavior, cognition and mood. Regulating dopamine signaling may improve cognitive abilities and physical functions during aging. Acein, a nonapeptide of sequence H-Pro-Pro-Thr-Thr-Thr-Lys-Phe-Ala-Ala-OH is able to stimulate dopamine secretion in the brain. By using genetic editing and lifespan investigation in C. elegans , we showed that the lack of the C-type lectin domain-containing protein clec-126 significantly suppressed the aging phenotype and prolonged lifespan, while overexpression of clec-126 promoted aging-related phenotypes and accelerated the aging process. We examined the aging phenotype of C. elegans and showed that Acein could induce a decrease in clec-126 expression, prolonging the lifespan of aged C. elegans . The mechanism proceeds through the Acein-induced stimulation of dopamine secretion that ameliorates motor function decline and extends the healthy lifespan of aged C. elegans . In addition, we also observed an increase in brood number. Our study has shown that Acein regulates dopamine secretion and has good antiaging activity by decreasing clec-126 expression.