Scientists discover that small proteins regulate the aging process
Scientists from the University of Cologne have discovered the link between aging and long life.
Scientists discovered that ubiquitin is a key protein in the regulation and aging process. Ubiquitin has been known to regulate many processes such as metabolism and signal transduction. Prof. Dr. David Vilchez, his colleagues from the CECAD Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research in Cologne and the University of Cologne conducted a quantitative analysis of the ubiquitin signatures that occur during aging of the Caenorhabditis Elegans model organism. This nematode is widely used for research on aging.
This method, called ubiquitin proomics, measures all changes to ubiquitination in proteins within the cell. The data generated provide quantitative information on ubiquitin change across all proteins of a cell and site-specific details. Comparing the proteome (total protein content) of a cell revealed which changes had functional consequences on protein turnover and protein content. Scientists have discovered new regulators for lifespan, and a data set to help understand aging and long-term health. Nature has published the article entitled ‘Rewiring ubiquitinated protome determines C. elegans’s aging.
Source:
Scientists Discover Small Proteins Regulate the Aging Process
