Metformin-Induced Longevity Is Associated With Retrotransposon Dynamics In Yeast Chronological Aging
Many of us are familiar with a common drug used for diabetes, which has also shown promise in extending lifespan across various organisms, from simple yeast to more complex animals. But how exactly does it work its magic to promote a longer, healthier life?
Recent research has shed new light on this question, revealing an unexpected connection in yeast: the drug’s longevity-boosting effects are tied to how our genetic material is organized and to the activity of fascinating elements within our DNA.
Imagine your DNA as a very long instruction manual. This manual isn’t just a loose scroll; it’s carefully folded and packaged into structures called “chromatin”. How this packaging is regulated, known as “chromatin regulation”, plays a crucial role in which genes are turned on or off. This study found that the drug significantly influences this packaging process.
Even more intriguing is the discovery that the drug affects “retrotransposons”, often called “jumping genes”. These are segments of DNA that can copy themselves and insert these copies into different parts of the genome. While the drug increased the production of messages from these jumping genes, it surprisingly reduced their actual ability to “jump” and move around. This suggests a complex control mechanism at play.
The research also highlighted the involvement of proteins related to our cells’ powerhouses, the mitochondria, and those involved in responding to stress. These findings expand our understanding of how this widely used drug exerts its anti-aging effects, suggesting that its influence goes beyond just metabolism and stress response, reaching into the fundamental ways our genes are managed and how these “jumping genes” behave.
Source: link to paper