Inhibition of GLS1 Selectively Destroys Senescent Cells

Senescent cells accumulate with age, and this accumulation is an important cause of age-related dysfunction and disease. Clearing senescent cells from old animals produces rejuvenation, and human trials of first generation senolytic drugs capable of selectively destroying senescent cells are underway for a number of age-related conditions. Meanwhile, an ever increasing number of research groups are delving deeper into the biochemistry of cellular senescence, in search of novel differences between senescent and non-senescent cells that can be exploited in order to selectively destroy senescent cells in new and hopefully better ways. New approaches continue to be uncovered, as illustrated by the research materials noted here. Senescent cells accumulate in organs during aging, promote tissue dysfunction, and cause numerous aging-related diseases like cancer. The cells arise through a process called "cellular senescence," a permanent cell cycle arrest resulting from multiple stresses. Researchers have identified an inhibitor of the glutamate metabolic enzyme GLS1 so that its administration selectively eliminates senescent cells in vivo. They confirmed that the GLS1 inhibitor eliminated senescent cells from various organs and tissues in aged mice, ameliorating age-associated tissue dysfunction and the symptoms of obese diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and NASH. The research team has developed a new method for producing purified senescent cells to search for genes essen...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs