Glycogen controls Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan and resistance to oxidative stress

Abstract

Glycogen is a storage form of glucose in cells. Here, Gusarovet al. show that glycogen-derived glucose can be used to quickly regenerate the antioxidant glutathione and that inhibiting glycogen synthesis extends C. eleganslifespan, whereas glycogen accumulation drives organismal ageing in worms.