DAF-16 is the sole ortholog of the FOXO family of transcription factors in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. DAF-16 is notable for being the primary transcription factor required for the profound lifespan extension observed upon mutation of the insulin-like receptor daf-2. Moreover, the tractability of C. elegans as a model and interest in teasing out this conserved aging-associated genetic pathway allowed the intricacies of Insulin and Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) Signaling (IIS) to be thoroughly characterized primarily through studies using this model organism.
Notable scientists involved in the initial and continued characterization of DAF-16-associated aging pathways:
References
Daf-16 Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA