Immortality via Sir2
A local research team has successfully identified the working principle of a protein that can control the aging process and prolong life.
A research team headed by Professor Kim Jung-yoon from Chungnam National University announced on Sept. 22 that they identified how the protein named Sir2 slows down the aging process, and proved what role Sir2 has by limiting the intake of calories.
The research findings are likely to get rid of suspicions over the role of Sir2 in controlling the aging process.
The research team discovered that Sir2 removes acetyl attached to lysine-16 residues of histone H4, which curbs the realization of specific age-accelerating proteins (those that control a potential difference in cell membranes and ribosomal proteins) and prolongs the life expectancy of yeast. They also found out that it is controlled by a protein that attaches a phosphate to Sir2.
These findings are expected to play an important role in the development of anti-aging substance and treatments for aging-related diseases.
Professor Kim explained, "The research findings are an important achievement that can end 10-year-old disputes about the life-extending function of Sir2." He added, "Our study is significant in that we presented a method to develop aging-related substance and treatments for aging-related diseases by activating the life-prolonging function of Sir2."