An interesting paper.
A moderate static magnetic field promotes C. elegans longevity through cytochrome P450s
“In summary, this study reveals the role of static magnetic field (SMF) in worm ageing and identifies a set of cytochrome P450 (CYPs) as essential genes for SMF-induced longevity. However, it remains a puzzle how SMF triggers this biological effect. Studies in animal navigation show that some animals, such as birds and butterflies, can sense magnetic fields. C. elegans was also proposed to have magneto sensitive neurons for geomagnetic orientation, implying that SMF might regulate worm ageing through these neurons. Consistently, we found that mutating tax-4 could affect the SMF-dependent upregulation of three CYP genes. Moreover, recent studies on cellular effects of SMFs, together with our findings, highlight the role of mitochondria, suggesting mitochondria could be an SMF sensor in the cell. Exploring the transcription factors driving the transcriptomic changes upon SMF treatment is another exciting issue to pursue. It is intriguing and essential to study how worms sense SMF alteration and turn on longevity response in the future.”