Summary: Protein synthesis is a regulated cellular process that links nutrients in the environment to organismal growth and development. Here we examine the role of genes that regulate mRNA translation in determining growth, reproduction, stress resistance and lifespan. Translational control of protein synthesis by regulators such as the cap‐binding complex and S6 kinase play an important role during growth. We observe that inhibition of various genes in the translation initiation complex including ifg‐1, the worm homologue of eIF4G, which is a scaffold protein in the cap‐binding complex; and rsks‐1, the worm homologue of S6 kinase, results in lifespan extension in Caenorhabditis elegans. Inhibition of ifg‐1 or rsks‐1 also slows development, reduces fecundity and increases resistance to starvation. A reduction in ifg‐1 expression in dauers was also observed, suggesting an inhibition of protein translation during the dauer state. Thus, mRNA translation exerts pleiotropic effects on growth, reproduction, stress resistance and lifespan in C. elegans.

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Summary: The lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans can be extended by the administration of synthetic superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics (SCMs) without any effects on development or fertility. Here we demonstrate that the mimetics, Euk‐134 and Euk‐8, confer resistance to the oxidative stress‐inducing agent, paraquat and to thermal stress. The protective effects of the compounds are apparent with treatments either during development or during adulthood and are independent of an insulin/IGF‐I‐like signalling pathway also known to affect thermal and oxidative stress resistance. Worms exposed to the compounds do not induce a cellular stress response and no detrimental effects are observed.