Preservation of mitochondrial membrane potential is necessary for lifespan extension from dietary restriction.

Dietary restriction (DR) increases lifespan in many organisms, but its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Mitochondria play a central role in metabolic regulation and are known to undergo changes in structure and function in response to DR. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) is the driving force for ATP production and mitochondrial outputs that integrate many cellular signals.