Proteins linked to cancer prevention in humans affect aging in worms
Jun 1, 2006 - 4:00:00 AM
|
|
|
We think there are many more checkpoint proteins -- in worms, in complex animals, in humans, said Olsen. Some may be more attractive than others for developing therapies for cancer and aging. The job now is to catalogue the genes and find out which ones have these dual properties. There is lot of work to be done in many labs and by many people.
|
By Buck Institute for Age Research,
[RxPG] Statistically, we know that aging is a huge risk factor for cancer, said Buck faculty member Gordon Lithgow, PhD, lead author of the study. We don't know why that is. If we look at checkpoint proteins as a gear we've known for a long time that they drive the cancer gear, now we know that they also drive a longevity gear. This discovery has exciting potential as area of inquiry into a potential cellular link between aging and cancer.
The research carried out in the Buck Institute's Lithgow Laboratory, involved genetically eliminating checkpoint proteins in the microscopic worms. This caused a 15 30% increase in their lifespan. Given the role that checkpoint proteins play in preventing the development of cancer (or in encouraging it when the proteins are defective), the findings raise the question of whether genetic variations in checkpoint proteins in humans may place some individuals at risk for cancer, but protect them against other age-associated diseases; or conversely, set a genetic course for a shorter life which would be free from cancer.
The intriguing discovery came from ongoing work in the Lithgow lab, during a screening for genes that determine stress resistance and longevity in the worm, an animal which has about 18,000 genes and does not undergo cell division once it reaches maturity. Lead researcher Anders Olsen, PhD, found an unfamiliar gene during his screening. I typed the DNA sequence into an internet database, and up came this gene we had never heard of or ever imagined would be involved in lifespan determination, said Olsen. The scientist identified two other survival-controlling checkpoint proteins which are also included in the study. Olsen's work now involves identifying additional tumor suppressor genes that impact aging in both worms and human cells, as well as screening for compounds that mimic the genetic elimination of the checkpoint proteins that took place in the lab.
We think there are many more checkpoint proteins -- in worms, in complex animals, in humans, said Olsen. Some may be more attractive than others for developing therapies for cancer and aging. The job now is to catalogue the genes and find out which ones have these dual properties. There is lot of work to be done in many labs and by many people.
This work brings a new richness and sophistication to the way we think about longevity interventions, said Dale Bredesen, MD, Buck Institute CEO and Scientific Director, who acknowledged that this area of research is in its infancy. If we're smart about it, we might be able to design strategies where you could keep checkpoint proteins active in dividing cells and knock them out in cells that no longer divide, such as neurons. Increasing the survival of neurons could provide a new avenue of treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.
Advertise in this space for $10 per month.
Contact us today.
|
 |
Related Latest Research News
|
|
Subscribe to Latest Research Newsletter
|
|
|
|
Feedback
|
For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send
any medical news or health news press releases, use
feedback form
|
Top of Page
|
