The Cell sub-journal proves that there is a direct link between reducing errors in protein production and longevity!

Researchers at University College London (UCL) and the Institute of Medical Sciences London (MRC) have proven that reducing the natural errors in protein synthesis can improve the health and lifespan of different model organisms
.

This discovery, replicated in yeast, roundworms, and fruit flies, demonstrated for the first time a direct link between reduced protein errors and longevity

Dr.
Ivana Bjedov from the Cancer Institute of University College London commented: “We often hear that DNA mutations can cause cancer, which is considered to be one of the underlying causes of aging
.

” “However, protein errors that affect the health of the body are to a large extent.

Although mistranslation is the most error-prone step in gene expression, there is much less research and understanding of the role of error in protein translation.
Sharp contrast"
.

"The frequency of protein errors is estimated to be between 10-3 and 10-6, depending on the organism and codons," they wrote

In the study they reported, the scientists investigated an evolutionary "super-precision" mutation, called RPS23 K60R, which was found in the ribosomes (the cell’s protein production factory) of thermophilic archaea.
Single-celled organisms that can survive extreme heat
.

Using genome editing technology, the team designed a posterior ribosome to carry the same mutation (single amino acid change) as the hyperthermic archaea, and replicated its effect on protein synthesis in a simple model organism, namely Drosophila Drosophila melanogaster, yeast (schizossaccharomyces pombe), and the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans

They wrote: “We hypothesized that improving the fidelity of protein synthesis may be an anti-aging intervention for multicellular organisms
.

” “Here, we study the physiological consequences of a single evolutionary conserved residue that directly changes the decoding center of the ribosome.

Scientists’ analysis confirmed that this organism has fewer protein errors, so they become heat-resistant and live longer
.

"When the eukaryotic RPS23 homologue was introduced, this mutation resulted in accurate translation in yeast, nematodes and fruit flies, as well as heat shock resistance and longer lifespan," the research team said

In addition to recombinant ribosomes, the researchers found that some drugs approved for use in humans can also reduce protein errors
.

They said: "The great interest in the biology of aging stems from the possibility of pharmacological methods to simulate the effects of longevity mutations on the body's physiology, thereby improving the health of the elderly

The scientists said: "We found that anti-aging drugs such as rapamycin, Torin1 and trametinib reduced translation errors, and rapamycin further extended the lifespan of RPS23 ultra-precision mutants
.

" "Our work shows that, It is possible to achieve higher translation accuracy through pharmacology and advocate screening of compounds to reduce protein errors in the aging process

Co-corresponding author Dr.
Filipe Cabreiro further pointed out, “This is the first study to reveal in metazoan organisms that fewer errors in proteins can extend health and life; we hope that our research results on yeast, nematodes and fruit flies can be expanded.
As far as mammals
are concerned , this may lead to treatments that improve the health of the elderly .
” As the author concludes, “In general, these findings call for improved translation fidelity in the context of aging and age-related diseases.
Treatment research, especially neurodegenerative diseases that are mainly affected by the deterioration of protease homeostasis
.
"