Is it possible to use protein clumps in our cells to determine our risk of developing age-related diseases? Professors Dorothee Dormann and Edward Lemke from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz have suggested the idea of a “protein aggregation clock” as a new way to measure aging and health.Published in Nature Cell Biology.
As we get older, the genetic material and proteins that form our bodies gradually go through alterations that lead to a decrease in our body’s functions. This makes us more susceptible to age-related illnesses like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. One significant alteration is the possibility of proteins in our cells becoming misshapen and clumping together to create amyloids. This misfolding and clumping can occur with any protein, but a specific category known as intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are particularly vulnerable to forming amyloids. IDPs make up approximately 30% of the proteins in our cells and they are known for their lack of a fixed structure. Instead, they are flexible and dynamic, moving around like strands of cooked spaghetti.
While the molecular mechanisms are a topic of wide debate and are important for basic research, scientists understand that aggregates formed from IDPs tend to build up in many long-lived cells – such as neurons or muscle cells – as we get older. Additionally, they can contribute to many age-related diseases, particularly neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This means that a high number of aggregates in a cell could be problematic.an indicator of how unhealthy the cell is or if a person is likely to develop an age-related disease soon. In their recently published article, Dormann and Lemke propose that IDP aggregation could be used as a biological ”clock” to measure a person’s health and age.
If developed further into a sensitive diagnostic test, a protein aggregation clock could be extremely useful. Firstly, doctors could use it to help diagnose age-related diseases at very early stages or identify people who are not yet sick but have a higher risk of developing disease as they age. This would allow them to be given preventative treatments before they develop.Severe illness. In addition, researchers could utilize it to evaluate the impact of new experimental therapies on decreasing protein clumping to prevent or delay age-related illnesses.
“In practice, we are still far from having a standard diagnostic test, and it is crucial that we enhance our comprehension of the basic mechanisms that lead to IDP aggregation,” Dormann stated. “However, we aim to encourage contemplation and investigation into the study of protein aggregates in order to gauge biological aging processes,” Lemke added. “We are hopeful that in the future, we will be able to conquer the current obstacles of interpreting a protein.
Researchers Dormann and Lemke are working on developing a protein aggregation clock to measure ageing and health. While there are other clocks based on nucleic acids like DNA, the proposed protein-based clock would be a valuable addition, as proteins are essential for cellular functions and are abundant in cells. The development of this protein aggregation clock could help scientists and doctors in promoting healthy ageing and preventing age-related diseases.
Dorothee Dormann and Edward Lemke are making a valuable contribution to the Center for Healthy Ageing (CHA), which is a virtual research center that was established in 2021. The CHA aims to unite researchers in both basic and clinical research from Mainz, with a focus on studying aging and age-related illnesses. The ultimate goal of their research is to support the promotion of healthy aging and to develop treatments that can either prevent or cure age-related diseases.
