Genetic interaction analyses of the RNAi candidates in several longevity mutant strains.

The effects of the RNAi candidates identified by our screen on the lifespan of different C. elegans mutant strains are shown as a percentage variation of the mean adult lifespan when compared to empty vector RNAi (stratified log-rank, p≤0.001). The mean adult lifespan for each RNAi candidate and for empty vector RNAi was obtained by pooling at least two independent lifespan assays. RNAi clones of C52B9.2, nhr-25, and ceh-23 specifically shortened the lifespan of all METC mutants tested (isp-1;ctb-1, isp-1, and clk-1 mutants). Among them, ceh-23 RNAi is the only one that does not affect the lifespan of eat-2 mutants. Quantitative data and statistical analyses for the experiments shown here are included in Table S1. − indicates a percentage decrease and + indicates a percentage increase of the mean adulthood lifespan when the mean lifespan of worms fed with the RNAi candidate and those fed with the empty vector RNAi were statistically significantly different (stratified log-rank, p≤0.001). n.s. indicates that the mean lifespan of worms fed with the RNAi candidate and those fed with the empty vector RNAi were not statistically significantly different (stratified log-rank, p≥0.001). Underlined gene names indicate genes that, when down-regulated, have a stronger effect on isp-1; ctb-1 mutant worms' lifespan than on wild-type worms' lifespan.