Sigma Receptors and their Roles in Extending Worm Lifespans

Did you know that tiny worms like C. elegans can teach us a lot about human diseases? Scientists have been studying a protein called sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) to understand how it interacts with different drugs, or ligands, and affects lifespans. They found that some drugs stick better to the σ1R protein than others and that this affects how long the worms live. For instance, Haloperidol and Fluoxetine, common drugs, made worms live a bit longer, but only if they had the σ1R protein. Another drug, BD1047, actually shortened the lifespan of worms with a specific condition, while another, DPA, increased their lifespan. All this shows that σ1R plays a role in how these drugs work and might be important in diseases like Alzheimer's. But more research is needed to fully understand how we can use this protein to help fight these diseases.