Scientists in Japan have identified a protein that may play a pivotal role in maintaining two intracellular structures associated with aging and disease.
Researchers have identified a protein that could open new avenues for treating age-related diseases.
This protein plays an important role within the cell and helps remove damaged organelles, a subunit of the cell that is essential for its function.
Two of these, mitochondria and lysosomes, each produce energy within the cell and help keep it healthy.
Damage to these organelles linked It affects many diseases, including aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
In a new study published in Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesScientists at Japan’s Osaka University and other medical schools say a protein called hexokinase domain-containing 1 (HKDC1) helps protect both mitochondria and lysosomes.
“Modulation of HKDC1 function may prevent cellular senescence associated with aging and age-related diseases,” lead author Shuhei Nakamura, professor of chemistry at Nara Medical University, told Euronews Next.
Cellular senescence is a state in which cells stop dividing, and although cell canceration can be prevented, it contributes to aging.researcher Said Some studies suggest that preventing aging may help fight aging and age-related diseases in humans.
The study also specifically mentions that HKDC1 may impact lung and liver cancer.
“Cellular senescence has been suggested to be the cause of many age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, fibrosis and frailty,” Professor Nakamura said.
“So, HKDC1 function may impact these diseases by preventing cellular aging.”
Vidyani Suryadevara, a lecturer in radiology at Stanford University, told Euronews Next that the new discovery “identifies an important molecular mechanism that simultaneously affects multiple organelles within the cell.” .
He said it could uncover “new molecular targets for the development of new senolytic drugs” to target cellular aging.
How does this protein protect organelles?
Mitochondria work to produce energy for cells. If they are damaged, they must be removed for the cells to survive.
Neurodegenerative diseases can occur when damaged mitochondria accumulate. Harvard University researchers.
The removal of damaged mitochondria occurs through a process called “mitophagy” and relies on proteins called PINK1 and Parkin.
Scientists have now discovered that the interaction between the protein HKDC1 and another protein called transcription factor EB (TFEB) is important for removing damaged mitochondria.
They also found that reducing HKDC1 impeded lysosomal repair.
“HKDC1 is localized to mitochondria, right? Well, it turns out that this is also important for the process of lysosomal repair,” Nakamura added in a statement.
“As you know, lysosomes and mitochondria contact each other through a protein called VDAC. Specifically, HKDC1 is responsible for interacting with VDAC. Essential for lysosomal repair.”
The researchers say that the maintenance of mitochondria and lysosomes was poorly understood until now.
This article has been updated with comment from an expert not involved in the study.