Scientists have found that "inversion protein" can treat diabetes, obesity and cancer

The longevity protein family has been studied in detail for the first time New insights could help create innovative treatments for a range of diseases, including some cancers, obesity and diabetes   A family of molecules called Klotho proteins has attracted researchers interested in the aging process for decades   They are "named after the Greek goddess who created the thread of life." In terms of metabolism, they also seem to play an important role in longevity   Studies in the late 1990s have shown that mice with the mutant Klotho Gene suffer from diseases similar to premature aging: they have a short life span, become infertile, and even develop arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis and emphysema, as well as skin atrophy   Later studies also found that the overexpression of Klotho Gene prolonged the life span of mice by changing the signals of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1   Check Klotho   A new and more detailed study on the structure of these proteins has been carried out in a recent study Researchers are beginning to learn more about what they do physically and how they do it Scientists from Yale University in New Haven believe their findings will have an impact on future treatments for many diseases, including obesity, diabetes and some cancers   There are two proteins in the Klotho family: alpha and beta They are receptors on the cell membrane of some tissues They bind to a molecule called endocrine FGFs, which regulates the metabolism of tissues and organs, including the brain, liver and kidney   Klotho protein and FGFs were operated at close range In fact, those who are interested in longevity have been arguing for some time that Klotho protein or FGFs are molecules responsible for changing aging   Using X-ray crystallography, the team developed a detailed diagram of - Klotho structure The results are published this week in the journal Nature   Their first finding is that - Klotho is the main receptor of FGF21, a hormone produced during starvation FGF21 has a series of functions For example, it can improve insulin sensitivity, promote glucose metabolism, and cause weight loss   "Like insulin, FGF21 stimulates metabolism, including glucose uptake," said Schlesinger, a senior research author who explained the importance of the finding   "In some clinical trials in animals and FGF21," he continued, "it shows that you can increase calorie burning without changing food intake, and we now know how to improve the biological activity of FGF21."   Treatment with Klotho   If the activity of this hormone can be stimulated in pharmacology, it may be helpful in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes and obesity In the paper, the team also described a variant of FGF21, which is 10 times more potent than the latter, potentially providing a greater therapeutic advantage   In addition, they found glycosidase, an enzyme with a similar structure that breaks down sugar, evolved into a hormone receptor that lowers blood sugar Schlessinger added that this "may not be a coincidence."   For the treatment of obesity and diabetes, there is a more effective treatment, so any drug that can provide a new treatment may cause great concern   It may be useful to strengthen this approach On the other hand, the authors suggest that blocking this pathway may lead to better treatment of liver cancer and osteopathy   Schlessinger summed up the long way ahead: "the next step will be to make better hormones, make new powerful blockers, do animal experiments, and move on." More research is in the works.