AUTHOR=Wang Yuting , Wu Wei , Gong Jianke 

TITLE=Live or death in cells: from micronutrition metabolism to cell fate

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2023.1185989

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2023.1185989

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=Nutrients have strong relationship with cell death and both are essential for human to maintain good body health. Dysregulation of any nutrient causes metabolic or chronic diseases, including obesity, cardiometabolic condition, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an ideal genetic model for studying the mechanisms of nutrient in metabolism, healthspan and lifespan. For example, C. elegans is a haem auxotroph, the research of this special haem trafficking pathway contributing important reference to mammal study. Also, the simple anatomy, known cell lineage, well-established genetics and easily distinguishable cell morphology make C. elegans a powerful model for studying the mechanisms of cell death including apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Here, we present the current understanding of nutrient metabolism and also discuss the fundamental mechanisms of different kinds of cell death. A thorough understanding of these physiological processes not only builds a foundation for developing better treatments for various nutrient disorders, but also provides key insights into human health and aging.