Researchers discover that small proteins can regulate the aging process
Scientists discovered that ubiquitin is a key protein in the regulation and aging process. Ubiquitin has been known to regulate processes like signal transduction and metabolic process. Prof. Dr. David Vilchez, his colleagues from the CECAD Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research of the University of Cologne have performed a quantitative analysis of the ubiquitin signatures in Caenorhabditis Elegans – a model organism widely used for research on aging. This method, called ubiquitin proomics, measures all changes in ubiquitination in the cell.
The data provide quantitative information on ubiquitin modifications across all proteins of a cell as they age. 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 dataset to help understand aging and longevity. Nature has published the article \”Rewiring ubiquitinated protome determines C. elegans’ aging\”.
Our study of ubiquitin changed led us to many exciting conclusions that provide important insights into the aging process, said Dr. Seda K. Koyuncu. We discovered that aging can lead to changes in the protein ubiquitination in cells, while longevity measures like reduced food intake or reduced insulin signaling can prevent these changes. The enzymes responsible for removing ubiquitin become more active as we age. The proteasome is the cell’s garbage collection system. It normally destroys ubiquitinated protein. Scientists have shown that age-related differences in the degradation by the proteasome of structural and regulatory protein determine the longevity of organisms.
Source:
https://phys.org/news/2021-07-small-proteins-aging.html
