Factor in the cells of naked mole rats protects proteasome activity -
Scientists at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, part of School of medicine at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, found another secret to longevity in the tissues of the longest rodent, the naked mole-rat.
They reported that a factor in the cells of naked mole rats protects and modifies the activity of the proteasome, a garbage disposal for obsolete and damaged proteins.
The factor also protects proteasome function in human cells, mouse and yeast when challenged with various poisons proteasome, studies have shown. These proteasomes usually quickly stop the operation, leading to the accumulation of damaged proteins which further compromise the function of cells, which contributes to the vicious cycle that leads to cell death.
"I think this factor is part of a global process or mechanism by which the moles nude rats maintain quality protein," first study author Karl Rodriguez, Ph.D., said, .
in general, as an organism ages, not only are there more of damaged proteins in need of disposal, but the proteasome itself becomes
accordingly, the decline the quality of the damaged protein and less effective in the elimination of damaged proteins. which contributes to the functional decline observed during aging. Improved quality proteins, in turn, leads to a longer life in yeast, worms, flies and fruit naked mole rats, Dr. Rodriguez said.
Dr. Rodriguez, a native of San Antonio who completed both doctoral Health Sciences Centre and his master, is a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory Rochelle Buffenstein, Ph.D., professor of physiology at the Barshop Institute. For this study, the laboratory Buffenstein also collaborated with Pawel Osmulski, Ph.D., assistant professor of molecular medicine; Susan Weintraub, PhD, professor of biochemistry; and Maria Gaczynska, Ph.D., associate professor of molecular medicine.
naked mole rats, digging underground tunnels in their native East Africa, are almost hairless rodents. They live as long as 32 years. naked mole rats maintain good health and reproductive potential without cancer well into their third decade of life.
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