Atlas of changes in mitochondrial metabolism during aging
According to one of the leaders of the work, Professor John Denu, the new development is a truly dynamic atlas of the regulatory points of mitochondrial functioning. It opens up a lot of interesting areas to explore. In order to understand all this, it may take many years for specialists, but at present we at least have a list of the main actors.
The results of earlier experiments showed that limiting the amount of food consumed increases the life expectancy, including the duration of a healthy life, of a whole spectrum of organisms, ranging from yeast and fruit flies to great apes. However, scientists have not yet been able to fully understand how a low-calorie diet affects cells at the molecular level.
At the present stage, mitochondrial proteins – molecules that perform certain functions in the work of the energy center of the cell – are considered the central link in the metabolic reprogramming of cells.
Earlier, Professor Denu and his colleagues demonstrated the existence of a relationship between the functioning of the mitochondrial protein Sirt3 and the positive effects of a low-calorie diet, including the prevention of age-related hearing impairment.
As part of their new study, the authors studied the liver tissue of two groups of mice – normal and devoid of the ability to synthesize Sirt3. One part of the animals were kept on a regular diet, and the second part – on a low-calorie diet.
A year later, the researchers, using an innovative spectrometric approach developed by them, compared changes in protein profiles and acetylation profiles of protein molecules in animals of different groups.
The results obtained indicate that such effects, such as changing the diet or taking drugs that stimulate the activity of Sirt3, are promising methods for the prevention of age-related diseases. And an atlas describing the molecular landmarks identified by the researchers will help to understand in detail the mechanisms involved.
According to Professor Kuhn, while the genome plays a key role in shaping the health of the body, the study of proteins – molecular machines that carry out the original genetic instructions – can provide the most accurate data on the functioning of genes.
Article by Alexander S. Hebert et al. Calorie Restriction and SIRT3 Trigger Global Reprogramming of the Mitochondrial Protein Acetylome is published in the journal Molecular Cell.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on materials from the University of Wisconsin-Madison:
Scientists create road map to metabolic reprogramming for aging.
07.12.2012