Molecular Chaperones Decline with Age

Chaperone proteins work to ensure correct protein folding and function in cells. The more chaperone activity taking place, the less damage in the form of dysfunctional protein machinery at any given time. Artificially boosting forms of chaperone activity is a potential form of treatment for some of the causes and consequences of age-related degeneration, as it could turn back the clock on rising levels of misfolded and otherwise damaged proteins. Aging is the most significant and universal risk factor for developing neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases. This risk increases disproportionately with age, but no one really knows why. Now a team of [scientists] has uncovered some clues. The researchers are the first to find that the quality of protective genes called molecular chaperones declines dramatically in the brains of older humans, both healthy and not, and that the decline is accelerated even more in humans with neurodegenerative disease. Molecular chaperones are a special set of highly conserved genes that watch over cells, keeping them and the entire organism healthy by preventing protein damage. The researchers specifically found the decline in 100 genes, approximately one-third of all human molecular chaperone genes. Then, with additional studies, they winnowed that number down to 28 human genes specifically involved in age-associated neurodegeneration. These critical genes pro...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs