Aldehydes are organic byproduct compounds produced as part of metabolic processes, and a recent study published in Nature Cell Biology by Nagoya University describes the discovery of a link between these byproducts and rapid aging. . Their findings could pave the way to potential treatments for diseases that lead to accelerated aging, by controlling exposure to aldehyde-inducing substances such as alcohol, smoke, and pollution, which can reduce the risk of cancer in healthy people. It may be possible to stop aging.
“DNA damage is associated with aging phenotypes,” says Yasuyoshi Oka. “However, we propose for the first time a link between aldehyde-derived DNA damage and premature aging.”
Aldehydes are important for our health because they are highly reactive with DNA and proteins, forming DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) that block key enzymes involved in cell growth and maintenance processes that lead to dysfunction and aging. Harmful. The research team suspects there may be a link between aldehydes and aging, as people with early-onset aging disorders such as AMeD syndrome have insufficient activity of enzymes such as ALDH2 that break down these metabolic byproducts. I made a hypothesis.
ALDH2 is also important in our response to alcohol. Since our liver metabolizes alcohol into aldehydes and excretes them from the body, ALDHA activity is important for converting aldehydes into non-toxic substances.
According to the researchers, in a series of experiments they focused on aldehyde-induced DPC using DPC sequencing to examine the association between aldehyde accumulation and DNA damage in young-onset disease patients. It has been revealed that p97 and proteasome are involved in DPC. Formaldehyde-induced DPC removal in actively transcribed regions. This finding was confirmed in a mouse model lacking the aldehyde clearance process and TCR pathway that causes worsening of symptoms in AMeD syndrome, suggesting a link between early-onset disease and aldehyde accumulation.
Professor Tomoo Ogi of Nagoya University said, “By elucidating the mechanism by which DNA damage heals quickly, we have revealed part of the cause of genetic premature aging.”
“Our study opens new avenues for understanding the mechanisms underlying premature aging diseases and provides potential targets for therapeutic intervention,” Oka said. “By elucidating the role of aldehydes in DNA damage and aging, we are paving the way for future research aimed at developing new treatments and interventions.”
“Because the causes of AMeD syndrome and Cockayne syndrome are not fully understood, the development of therapeutic drugs has not progressed.This research shows that the patient’s pathology is related to DPC, which is derived from aldehydes produced within cells. We hope that this result will be useful in the development of therapeutic drugs.”The search for compounds that remove aldehydes will help in the formulation of therapeutic drug candidates,” Oka added. Ta.
The researchers believe this study has implications beyond genetic diseases, suggesting that DNA damage caused by aldehydes may also play a role in the aging process in healthy people. Identification of these byproducts as substances that contribute to aging sheds new light on the complex relationship between environmental factors and cellular aging, which can have a profound impact on human health and longevity. I did.
