Scientists Discover Protein that Naturally Inhibits Aging

University of California/San Diego (California, USA) scientists, led by Michael Karin, have identified a protein called Sestrin that naturally inhibits aging and age-related pathologies in fruit flies. The team has also showed that Sestrin  is needed for regulation of a signaling pathway that is the central controller of aging and metabolism.  In that Sestrin maintains the same structure and biochemical function between flies and humans, the researchers suggests that the aging-related pathologies seen in prematurely aged fruit flies, such as accumulation of triglycerides, cardiac arrhythmia and muscle degeneration, may be similar to the major disorders of overweight, heart failure and muscle loss that accompany aging in humans.  In that vein, the team speculates that perhaps in the future, Sestrin analogs may be utilized to prevent much of the tissue failure associated with aging, as well as treat a number of degenerative diseases.