University of Queensland researchers discovered that the protein ATFS-1 aids in cell longevity by balancing new mitochondria creation and repair. This finding could impact our understanding of aging and diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s.
Researchers at The University of Queensland have found an anti-aging function in a protein deep within human cells.
Associate Professor Steven Zuryn and Dr. Michael Dai at the Queensland Brain Institute have discovered that a protein called ATSF-1 controls a fine balance between the creation of new mitochondria and the repair of damaged mitochondria.
Mitochondria and Aging
Mitochondria, with their own DNA, produce energy within cells to power biological functions but the toxic by-products of this process contribute to the rate at which the cell ages.
“In conditions of stress, when mitochondrial DNA has been damaged, the ATSF-1 protein prioritises repair which promotes cellular health and longevity,” Dr Zuryn said.
As an analogy, Dr. Zuryn likened the relationship to a race car needing a pitstop.
“ATSF-1 makes the call that a pitstop is needed for the cell when mitochondria need repairs,” he said.
A live C. elegans animal with mitochondria in its nervous system decorated with red and green fluorescent proteins. Credit: The authors
The Effect on C. elegans
“We studied ATFS-1 in C. elegans, or roundworms, and saw that enhancing its function promoted cellular health, meaning the worms became more agile for longer.
“They didn’t live longer, but they were healthier as they aged.”
“Mitochondrial dysfunction lies at the core of many human diseases, including common age-related diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s.
Implications for Age-Related Diseases
“Our finding could have exciting implications for healthy aging and for people with inherited mitochondrial diseases.”
Understanding how cells promote repair is an important step toward identifying possible interventions to prevent mitochondrial damage.
“Our goal is to prolong the tissue and organ functions that typically decline during aging by understanding how deteriorating mitochondria contribute to this process,” Dr. Dai said.
Looking Forward
“We may ultimately design interventions that keep mitochondrial DNA healthier for longer, improving our quality of life,” Dr. Dai said.
This research was published in the scientific journal Nature Cell Biology.
Reference: “ATFS-1 counteracts mitochondrial DNA damage by promoting repair over transcription” by Chuan-Yang Dai, Chai Chee Ng, Grace Ching Ching Hung, Ina Kirmes, Laetitia A. Hughes, Yunguang Du, Christopher A. Brosnan, Arnaud Ahier, Anne Hahn, Cole M. Haynes, Oliver Rackham, Aleksandra Filipovska and Steven Zuryn, 17 July 2023, Nature Cell Biology.
DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01192-y
So what is the hope for ATFS-1? Is the next step to somehow add this to our food, or something we ingest?