Indian scientists have found that specific proteins in mitochondria, called sirtuins (SIR), help slow aging. The research preprint has been published in the bioRxiv.org repository.
Sirtuins are enzymes that catalyze the removal of acetylase from various proteins. Researchers have found that a number of sirtuins found in the nucleus can regulate the lifespan of insects depending on the food they eat.
Sirtuins are also present in mitochondria, which are responsible for generating the energy necessary for the cell, but their effect on the aging process has so far remained unknown. At the same time, there is a known connection between aging and malfunctioning of mitochondria.
In the study, Drosophila melanogaster flies were used as a model organism. The scientists suppressed the activity of the mitochondrial sirtuin SIRT4, which led to a shorter lifespan in insects. It is known that the life span of fruit flies is also influenced by the ratio of sugars and yeast in food, however, with any diet, insects did not live long. This is due to the acceleration of the aging process.
In the future, scientists plan to find out exactly which molecular and genetic mechanisms determine the effect of sirtuins on lifespan. This will help develop new methods of anti-aging therapy.