Question:

Regarding anti-ageing/longevity drugs and their molecular targets, which of the following pairs is incorrectly matched?

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Spermidine is famous for switching autophagy ON, not off.
Updated On: Jun 25, 2026
  • Rapamycin - mTOR inhibitor
  • Metformin - AMPK activator
  • Resveratrol - Sirtuin (SIRT1) activator
  • Spermidine - decreases autophagy
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identify the theme. The question tests the molecular targets of candidate longevity/anti-ageing agents that act on conserved nutrient-sensing and autophagy pathways.

Step 2: Check each true pair. Rapamycin inhibits mTOR, extending lifespan in models (option 1 correct). Metformin activates AMPK (and indirectly inhibits mTOR), an energy-sensing kinase (option 2 correct). Resveratrol activates sirtuins (SIRT1), NAD⁺-dependent deacetylases (option 3 correct).

Step 3: Find the error. Spermidine is a well-known autophagy inducer - it increases autophagy (largely via inhibition of acetyltransferase EP300), promoting clearance of damaged organelles. The statement that spermidine decreases autophagy is therefore wrong, making option 4 the incorrectly matched pair and the answer.

Key fact: Spermidine is a classic autophagy enhancer, not a suppressor.
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