The present invention includes methods and compositions for increasing longevity of a cell and increasing cellular resistance to stress. In certain embodiments, the invention includes a method to induce gene expression of a homolog of Pachytene Checkpoint 2 (pch-2) or bmk-1 gene. The present invention also includes methods to treat oxidative stress or induce cellular death or apoptosis by administering a composition comprising a modulator of pch-2 or bmk-1 homolog gene expression.
