regional medical center: Slowing Aging By Blocking A Protein

Kamis, 21 Juni 2012

Slowing Aging By Blocking A Protein

Slowing Aging By Blocking A Protein

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Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Also Included In: Genetics
Article Date: 21 Jun 2012 - 11:00 PDT

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Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have successfully slowed down the aging process in mice by blocking a protein that regulates the activity of certain genes. The study is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The teams findings could lead to the development of new drugs that prevent cellular damage from aging, cancer, and diseases caused by abnormal DNA repair activity.

Senior author Paul Robbins, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at Pitt's School of Medicine, explained that accumulated cellular damage, including DNA damage, is believed to be responsible for aging. However, researchers still do not understand the biological mechanisms that power the aging process in response to damage.

Robbins and his colleagues examined a protein called NF-Kappa B. This protein is involved in switching on and off certain gene activity in response to stress, inflammation, and cellular damage.

Robbins explained:

"Other studies have shown that NF-kappa B activity is elevated in aging tissues. We examined whether this held true for mice with progeria, a disease of accelerated aging, and what would happen is we blocked NF-kappa B activation."

The team discovered that old and progeroid mice had a higher ratio of cells that contained activated NF-kappa B than healthy mice. According to the researchers, age-related activation of NK-kappa B occurs in some cells but not all.

The team found that blocking NF-kappa B's activation with chemicals or slightly changing its expression delayed the onset and reduced the severity of age-related changes in tissues, including kidney, muscle, liver and the nervous system. Furthermore, they discovered that blocking NF-kappa B reduced free radical-induced oxidative damage.

Robbins explained:

"It's possible that as we age, NF-kappa B becomes activated by accumulation of cellular damage, and that in turn increases the production of free radicals, resulting in more cell damage. An agent that blocks this protein could be used to slow down aging and also to treat certain cancers and diseases such as xeroderma pigmentosum, which are characterized by altered DNA repair activity."

Written By Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Additional

References

Citations

"NF-ÎºB inhibition delays DNA damageâ€"induced senescence and aging in mice"
Jeremy S. Tilstra, Andria R. Robinson, Jin Wang, SiobhÃ¡n Q. Gregg, Cheryl L. Clauson, Daniel P. Reay, Luigi A. Nasto, Claudette M. St Croix, Arvydas Usas, Nam Vo, Johnny Huard, Paula R. Clemens, Donna B. Stolz, Denis C. Guttridge, Simon C. Watkins, George A. Garinis, Yinsheng Wang, Laura J. Niedernhofer, and Paul D. Robbins
JCI, June 2012, doi: 10.1172/JCI45785. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

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regional medical center

Kamis, 21 Juni 2012

Slowing Aging By Blocking A Protein

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