{
  "id": 9153025,
  "title": "Caloric restriction drives age-dependent and integrated remodeling of RNA processing and lipid composition in mouse brain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/caloric-restriction-drives-age-dependent-and-integrated-remodeling-of",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-22T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.18.752764v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to extend lifespan and delay the onset of age-related diseases. While numerous pathways that respond to CR have been identified, such as growth signaling, metabolism, and inflammatory pathways, the molecular mechanisms linking these pathways to the enhanced lifespan and reduced disease risk are still unclear. In this study, researchers have demonstrated that RNA processing is altered in the brains of mice on CR across adulthood, and this change in RNA processing is linked to alterations in lipid composition.\n\nThe gene expression changes observed in the CR mice corresponded to different age points and exhibited a high level of identity and functional overlap. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed expected changes in metabolic pathways and neurotransmission-related pathways. Additionally, differential splicing events were observed throughout adulthood; however, unlike stable transcriptional programs, RNA processing changes were dynamic and largely unique to each age group. This suggests that there are context-specific regulatory mechanisms at play.\n\nCR-induced changes in the lipid abundance profiles of the cortex were highly coordinated across age groups. Specifically, there was an increase in the abundance of lipids with higher degrees of unsaturation. Furthermore, integrative analysis revealed associations between specific lipid classes and transcripts, as well as particular categories of alternative splicing events. These findings suggest that alternative RNA processing is a key mechanism utilized by CR and is linked to lipid homeostasis.\n\nThe data from this study provide new insights into metabolic reprogramming in the CR brain, highlighting the role of alternative RNA processing as a crucial mechanism in this process. By understanding these molecular mechanisms, researchers may be able to develop targeted interventions to promote healthy aging and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.",
  "summary": "Caloric restriction (CR) extends lifespan and delays the onset of age-related diseases. Prior work has established numerous pathways that respond to CR, including growth signaling, metabolism, and inflammatory pathways. However, the molecular mechanisms that connect these pathways to enhanced lifespan and reduced disease risk remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that RNA processing is altered in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}