The Amino Acid Sensor GCN2 Biases Macronutrient Selection During Aging

Purpose: Selection of a balanced diet has a determinant impact on human health. Individual food preferences involve socio-cultural as well as physiological factors and evolve during aging. In mammals, physiological mechanisms governing food choices appear to require the sensing of nutrient concentrations in diet. This is particularly the case for dietary amino acids that are sensed by the protein kinase GCN2. It has been reported that GCN2 is involved in the adaptive response to amino acid imbalanced diets at the level of food intake and lipid metabolism. Here, we hypothesized that GCN2 may play a role in macronutrient selection and its age-related changes.

Methods: Two groups of wild-type and GCN2 knock-out mice were subjected to a food self-selection protocol at ages 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. During each test, mice were allowed to create their own diets by selecting between three separate food sources, each containing either protein, fat or carbohydrates.

Results: Our results show that the absence of GCN2 had two main age-related effects. First, it exacerbated fat preference at the expense of carbohydrate consumption. Second, it prevented the increase in protein intake.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that, in omnivores, the GCN2 ancient pathway participates in the control of food preference.