Researchers from McMaster University (Canada) have identified a protein that could bring humanity closer to the dream of immortality.
According to News-Medical, the research team at McMaster University reported that they have discovered the protective function of a previously unknown protein, referred to as MANF.
The MANF protein may be the “key to immortality” that humanity seeks – (Illustration AI: ANH THƯ).
In an article published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the authors explain that our cells produce proteins and eliminate them after they have completed their tasks.
This continuous and efficient maintenance process is known as cellular homeostasis. However, as we age, this ability gradually declines, leading to cells producing proteins incorrectly, and the cleanup process becomes faulty or overwhelmed.
As a result, “junk” proteins can accumulate, leading to harmful buildup.
“If the problem cannot be resolved, the cells will die, ultimately resulting in neurodegeneration and subsequently neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” said Professor Bhagwati Gupta, who supervised the research.
Previous experiments have indicated that the MANF protein seems to help reduce cellular stress in such cases.
Therefore, the authors examined the activity of this protein in the roundworm C. elegans, which also possesses MANF similar to humans and other animals.
These transparent creatures have allowed scientists to gain clearer insights into how MANF is expressed in various tissues.
In these tissues, MANF is present in lysosomal structures associated with longevity and protein aggregation.
MANF plays a crucial role in the cell’s “cleanup” process by helping to degrade accumulated proteins, thereby keeping the cells healthier and less disordered.
Increasing MANF levels also activates the cell’s natural cleaning system, enabling them to function better over a longer period.
“The main idea of aging research is essentially whether we can make these processes better and more efficient,” Professor Gupta explained.
According to him, by understanding how MANF functions and targeting its activities, we could develop new treatments for age-related diseases, by keeping bodily functions at the cellular level “young.”
