Recent research has uncovered a major breakthrough regarding the impact of dietary restriction on brain health and aging. The OXR1 gene plays a crucial role in extending lifespan and promoting healthy brain aging, particularly in response to dietary restriction. The study, which involved fruit flies and human cells, emphasized OXR1's significance in protecting neurons and preserving retromer function.
Key Facts:
1. The OXR1 gene is vital for extending lifespan through dietary restriction, specifically benefiting brain health and aging.
2. OXR1 influences the retromer complex, crucial for recycling cellular proteins and essential for neuronal function.
3. The study suggests potential new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and strategies for healthy aging.
The research, conducted by Buck scientists, sheds light on the mysterious ways in which calorie restriction improves health and increases lifespan, particularly in protecting the brain. Kenneth Wilson, Ph.D., a Buck postdoc, highlighted the unexpected importance of OXR1 in the brain during dietary restriction.
The study revealed a neuron-specific response mediating the neuroprotection of dietary restriction. Strategies like intermittent fasting or caloric restriction may enhance OXR1 levels, offering protective effects against aging and neurological diseases, as explained by Buck Professor Pankaj Kapahi, Ph.D., one of the study's senior authors.
The team explored why individuals respond differently to diets and identified five genes, with OXR1 standing out. OXR1, known as "mustard" in fruit flies, protects against oxidative damage and has counterparts in human genetics. Its loss in humans results in severe neurological defects, emphasizing its importance.
The link between OXR1, retromer function, and brain aging became evident in the study. Retromer dysfunction is associated with age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, conditions protected by dietary restriction.
The findings illustrate how dietary restriction slows brain aging through OXR1's role in maintaining the retromer. Wilson emphasized that eating less enhances the sorting of proteins in cells due to increased OXR1 expression.
Boosting OXR1 in flies extended their lifespan, prompting speculation about its potential in humans. The next step involves identifying compounds that increase OXR1 levels during aging to delay brain aging, according to Buck Professor Lisa Ellerby.
In conclusion, the research underscores the impact of diet on overall body processes, supporting efforts to follow a healthy diet for comprehensive well-being. The study's findings offer hope for understanding why brains degenerate and pave the way for potential therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative diseases.
The study was supported by funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation, and the National Centers of Competence in Research (NCCR). Conflicts of interest were disclosed, with Kapahi having ties to Juvify Bio, and other authors having no conflicts of interest.