Scientists discover protein that could reverse cellular aging
Scientists from Osaka University have found that a protein called AP2A1 may hold the key to reversing cellular aging, reports a Kazinform News Agency correspondent.
By controlling this protein, they were able to rejuvenate old cells — a discovery that could pave the way for new anti-aging treatments.
According to their study, as we grow older, our cells enter a state called senescence, where they stop dividing and grow larger with thicker stress fibers. This change affects how cells function and interact with their environment.
“We still don’t understand how these senescent cells can maintain their huge size,” noted study lead author Pirawan Chantachotikul. “One intriguing clue is that stress fibers are much thicker in senescent cells than in young cells, suggesting that proteins within these fibers help support their size.”
This led researchers to investigate which proteins might be responsible for this change — and that’s when they discovered AP2A1. They found that AP2A1 is abundant in aging cells. To test its effects, they manipulated the protein’s levels and observed the results.
“The results were very intriguing,” said Shinji Deguchi, senior author of the study. “Suppressing AP2A1 in older cells reversed senescence and promoted cellular rejuvenation, while AP2A1 overexpression in young cells advanced senescence.”
In short, reducing AP2A1 made old cells behave like young ones, while increasing it sped up aging in younger cells. Further research revealed that AP2A1 interacts with another important protein, integrin β1, which helps cells maintain their structure. This discovery suggests that targeting AP2A1 could help restore cell function, boost collagen production, and potentially prevent age-related diseases.
While this research is still in early stages, it’s a promising step toward understanding and possibly controlling the aging process. The study, published in Cellular Signalling, highlights the exciting potential of targeting cellular mechanisms like AP2A1 to fight aging from the inside out.
Earlier, it was reported that under the patronage of Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the UAE President and UAEU Chancellor, the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) inaugurated the country’s first academic Stem Cells Research Centre. This milestone advances healthcare and regenerative medicine, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in medical sciences.