Viktor Korolchuk

Viktor Korolchuk

Newcastle University, United Kingdom

Dr. Viktor Korolchuk from Newcastle University, United Kingdom, will present at the 2nd World Congress on Targeting Longevity and talk about 'Autophagy as an Anti-Ageing Programme'.

This talk will summarise ongoing research in our laboratory, focusing on the selective degradation of dysfunctional mitochondria via autophagy. We explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating mitophagy and their critical roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis.

Our findings reveal how the oxidation of redox-sensitive cysteine residues in autophagy receptors in proximity to ROS-producing mitochondria, triggers their oligomerisation via disulphide bonds, thereby promoting targeted autophagosome formation. Dysfunctional autophagy also results in metabolic dysfunction such as depletion of cellular NAD stores. Both autophagy and NAD deficits are hallmarks of ageing, and our data suggest that these impairments contribute to age-related decline in cell function, including increased senescence and cell death.

As a proof of concept, we demonstrate that small molecules identified in our screens for novel activators of selective autophagy can reverse ageing phenotypes. These findings highlight autophagy pathways as promising targets for therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating age-related dysfunction and enhancing cellular viability.

About Prof. Viktor Korolchuk 

Prof. Viktor Korolchuk is a Professor of Cell Biology at Newcastle University's Biosciences Institute, bringing over two decades of research experience following his PhD from the National Academy of Sciences in Ukraine. His academic journey includes extensive postdoctoral work at the Universities of Bristol and Cambridge, followed by a progressive career at Newcastle University where he advanced from Lecturer to Reader before assuming his current professorial position in 2024.

With expertise spanning cellular biochemistry and molecular biology, Prof. Korolchuk leads cutting-edge research that builds upon his international training and established reputation in the field.

References:

  1. Kelly G, Kataura T, Panek J, Ma G, Salmonowicz H, … Carroll B, Reynisson J, Korolchuk VI. Basal Mitophagy drives cellular aging phenotypes that can be reversed by a p62-targeting small molecule. Dev Cell. 2024 May 21.
  2. Kataura T, Sedlackova L, Sun C, Kocak G, Wilson N, Banks P, Hayat F, Trushin S, Trushina E, Maddocks ODK, Oblong JE, Miwa S, Imoto M, Saiki S, Erskine D, Migaud ME, Sarkar S*, Korolchuk VI*. Targeting the autophagy-NAD axis protects against cell death in Niemann-Pick type C1 disease models. Cell Death Dis. 2024 May 31;15(5):382.
  3. Victorelli S, Salmonowicz H, Chapman J, … Gavathiotis E, LeBrasseur N, Lei X, Sainz AG, Korolchuk VI, Adams PD, Shadel GS, Tait SWG, Passos JF. Sub-lethal apoptotic stress enables mtDNA release during senescence and drives the SASP. Nature. 2023. Oct;622(7983):627-636.
  4. Sun C, Seranova E, Cohen MA, Chipara M, Roberts J, Astuti D, Palhegyi AM, Acharjee A, Sedlackova L, Kataura T, Otten EG, … Jaenisch R, Korolchuk VI*, Sarkar S*. NAD depletion mediates cytotoxicity in human neurons with autophagy deficiency. Cell Rep. 2023 Apr 20;42(5):112372.
  5. Kataura T, Otten EG, Rabanal-Ruiz Y, Adriaenssens E, Urselli F, Scialo F, Fan L, Smith GR, Dawson WM, Chen X, Yue WW, Bronowska AK, Carroll B, Martens S, Lazarou M, Korolchuk VI. NDP52 acts as a redox sensor in PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy. EMBO J. 2022 Dec 14:e111372.
  6. Kataura T, Sedlackova L, Otten EG, Shapira D, Scialo F, Stefanatos R, Ishikawa K, Kelly G, … Maddocks ODK, Sanz A, Sarkar S*, Korolchuk VI*. Autophagy promotes cell survival by maintaining NAD levels. Dev Cell. 2022 Nov 22, 57:21.
  7. Carroll B, Otten EG, Manni D, Stefanatos R, Menzies FM, … Rubinsztein DC, Sanz A, Korolchuk VI. Oxidation of p62/SQSTM1 mediates the link between redox state and protein homeostasis. Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 17;9(1):256.


Targeting Longevity 2026
April 8-9, 2026
 - Berlin, Germany

www.targeting-longevity.com