Anti-ageing breakthrough
Scientists have isolated a crucial protein
A breakthrough in gene technology holds out
the prospect of a more effective anti-ageing treatment.
It may also lead to new treatments to fight cancer.
Scientists from Newcastle University have
found a way to enhance the body's natural repair
mechanism.
They have discovered that raising levels of a
specialised protein called PARP-1 can help
cells to carry out repairs more effectively.
PARP-1 works by mending damaged
strands of the genetic material DNA.
It is thought that damage to DNA is the driving
force behind the ageing process.
It is also known to be a major factor in the development
of cancers.
Animal lifespans
The Newcastle team has previously shown that
animals with different lifespans have different types of
PARP-1.
For instance, mice, which have a short
lifespan, have a less effective form of the protein.
The researchers believe this is because mice
have lots of predators, and are therefore unlikely to live
very long.
Therefore instead of trying to maximise their
lifespan, they have evolved to concentrate
their energies into reproducing themselves.
On the other hand, species such as humans
with few predators have may have evolved
more efficient PARP-1 because it makes sense
in evolutionary terms to try to maximise lifespan.
Lead researcher Dr Alexander Burkle, of the Department of
Gerontology at Newcastle University, said: "We have
produced cells which, under stress conditions
keep their genetic substance, the DNA, in
better shape, in a way which for some reason
was not the path chosen by nature during evolution.
"This opens up exciting possibilities for future
research."
Dr Burkle said it could be that people who age
rapidly have a deficiency of PARP-1 in certain types of
tissue.
Role of vitamin
Dr Burkle is also interested in the role of the
vitamin, niacin, which also plays a role in DNA repair.
He believes that it is possible that the ageing
process may be accelerated by a lack of niacin
in the poor Western diet.
A spokeswoman for the medical research
charity Research into Ageing told BBC News
Online that the research was "exciting".
"Dr Burkle's discovery is a good example of the
high quality research that is needed to improve
our defences against the conditions that can
make later life miserable.
"Research like this that identifies specific
mechanisms provides a first step towards
scientists being able to design drugs that
prevent age-related diseases.
"We need this kind of understanding to make
our longer lives as healthy, active and independent as
possible"
--
Cheers,
Joao Paulo - Salvador,BA,Brazil
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