There’s no shortage of advice on how to live a long and healthy life, but understanding the biological factors behind longevity is a more complex puzzle. Researchers are tirelessly exploring why some individuals outlive others and how we can maximize our lifespan in meaningful ways.
Now, a team from the Center for Healthy Aging at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine has made a significant discovery. They’ve identified a protein called OSER1, which plays a crucial role in extending lifespan.
“We’ve uncovered a protein that acts as a novel pro-longevity factor,” explains Professor Lene Juel Rasmussen, senior author of the study. “This protein, OSER1, is found across various species, including fruit flies, nematodes, silkworms, and humans.”
The widespread presence of OSER1 in different animals suggests that its effects are likely relevant to humans as well:
“We identified a protein shared across multiple animal models and humans,” says Zhiquan Li, the study’s first author. “By linking data from animal studies to human cohorts, we can better understand if these findings translate to human health.”
The ability to find common longevity genes across species is crucial. “If a gene only exists in animal models, it’s challenging to apply those findings to human health,” Li adds. “That’s why we focused on proteins present in both animals and humans. Ultimately, we aim to identify human longevity genes for potential therapies and drug development.”
Opening New Doors for Treatment
The researchers stumbled upon OSER1 while studying a broader set of proteins regulated by FOXO, a major transcription factor known as a key player in longevity.
“We identified 10 genes that, when altered, affected lifespan. OSER1 stood out as the most influential,” Li explains.
Genes linked to shorter lifespans are often associated with an increased risk of premature aging and age-related diseases. Understanding OSER1’s role at the cellular level and in animal models is essential for deepening our knowledge of aging and its impact on human health.
“We’re focusing on uncovering OSER1’s role in humans,” says Li, acknowledging the challenge due to the lack of existing research on this protein. “This is the first study to demonstrate OSER1 as a significant regulator of aging and longevity. Our future goal is to explore the specific age-related diseases and processes influenced by OSER1.”
The identification and characterization of OSER1 could also lead to new drug targets for treating age-related conditions like metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative illnesses.
“The discovery of this new pro-longevity factor enhances our understanding of human longevity,” Li concludes.
- RELATED ARTICLE: Medical Genetics and Genomic Medicine in Nigeria
- ARTICLE SOURCE: Nature communications
