Daf-16

DAF-16 is part of a group of genes that drive the biological processes involved in ageing, immunity and responses to physical or environmental stresses. The fact that subtle differences in DAF-16 between species seem to have such an impact on ageing and health may explain how differences in lifespan and related traits may also have arisen during evolution.

DAF-16 is strongly involved in determining the rate of ageing and average lifespan of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Homologues of DAF-16 are found in many other animals, including humans (where it is known as FOXO3).