Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Study links a cold-triggered molecule to longer lifespans in worms
Researchers found a cold-triggered pathway that extended lifespan in worms in experiments published in Nature.
The work involved the nematode C. elegans, which lived longer when exposed to 15°C temperatures.
In the pathway, muscle cells produce the molecule BH2, which travels to other tissues and helps support protein balance.
Disrupting the pathway reduced the lifespan benefit, suggesting cold activates a biological process rather than simply slowing metabolism.
The researchers also found the pathway reduced harmful protein buildup in worm experiments, including a model of Huntington's disease.
In human cells engineered to develop proteins linked to Huntington's disease and ALS, adding BH2 reduced abnormal protein accumulation, but this does not show that it extends human life.
Researchers are investigating treatments that mimic cold's effects without requiring people to lower their body temperature.
Researchers identified a cold-triggered molecular pathway that contributes to longer lifespans in worms.
In experiments, moderately cold conditions increased production of the enzyme CAT-4, mainly in muscle, which stimulated production of the metabolite BH2.
BH2 traveled to other tissues and was converted into BH4, enabling production of the amino acid tyrosine.
Disrupting the pathway reduced the lifespan benefits of cold exposure, while boosting CAT-4 in muscle extended worms’ lifespans at normal or warmer temperatures.
The researchers also found that BH2 reduced abnormal protein accumulation in engineered human cells, but the findings do not establish a treatment for people.
- Who
- Researchers including molecular biologist David Vilchez of the University of Cologne studied the pathway.
- What
- They linked cold-triggered production of BH2 to longer lifespans and healthier protein maintenance in worms.
- When
- The article was published on October 30, 2026; the study’s date is not stated.
- Where
- The experiments included nematode worms and engineered human cells. The researchers are at the University of Cologne in Germany.
- Why
- The researchers investigated how cold temperatures produce longevity benefits and whether the effects involve active biological signals.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Vilchez and fellow researchers found that cold exposure in C. elegans led to removal of harmful protein clumps and activated proteasomes.
Researchers found that moderately cold temperatures increased CAT-4 and BH2 production in worms.
Researchers found that BH2 reduced abnormal protein accumulation in engineered human cells.
ScienceAlert published its report on the study.
- Organism studied
- Caenorhabditis elegans worms
- Cold exposure
- 15 °C (59 °F)
- Enzyme
- CAT-4
- Metabolite
- Dihydrobiopterin (BH2)
- Downstream molecule
- Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)
- Researcher
- David Vilchez, University of Cologne
What people are saying
We are excited to show that mildly cold temperatures trigger significant production of a specific metabolite, BH2, which is synthesized, stored, and subsequently released by muscle tissue.
BH2 then goes to other parts of the body, where it helps to maintain protein homeostasis and contributes to tissue health during aging.
This opens up new avenues for therapeutic approaches.
Further experiments on human cells encourage us to look for treatments that mimic the beneficial effects of cold without requiring changes in body temperature.