Despite decades of work it is only recently that we have begun to understand how molecular factors or metabolites encode and decode information, globally. In order for these to maintain physiological homeostasis under both basal and challenged conditions, it is imperative that such mechanisms interact with each other across time and space. Our laboratory has been investigating the molecular and physiological underpinnings of metabolic sensing both in the somatic tissues and germ cells.

 

From our previous work, using Sirtuins (evolutionarily conserved NAD + dependent deacylases) as candidate metabolic sensors, we have uncovered the importance of metabolic sensing in mediating inter-organellar and inter-tissue communications. In this context, we have recently discovered molecular and organ system hierarchies that maintain complex physiological processes. In this talk, I will present some of our findings and give you an overview of our efforts, which have revealed how physiological transitions, state reversals and cell cycle phases are controlled. Specifically, we highlight novel layers of regulation brought about by post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms at a systems level. I also hope to emphasize the impact of diet-dependent inputs in mediating diverse biological processes, and their implications on mitochondrial and nuclear functions during aging/age-related diseases. Our research has also given insights into the evolutionary significance of metabolic sensing and orchestration of nuclear-mitochondrial functions.