The second copy of the anti-oncogene improves health and prolongs life
Researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center, working under the leadership of Manuel Serrano, are studying the functioning of the Pten tumor suppressor gene, usually inactivated in human cancer cells. They demonstrated that an additional copy of this gene makes mice resistant to tumors. However, it turned out that, compared with the control group, such animals weighed an average of 28% less than usual, even when kept on a higher-calorie diet. This indicated the existence of a certain metabolic imbalance in their body, which has a positive effect on their physical condition.
In addition, an additional copy of the gene increased the life expectancy of animals by 12%, and also reduced the predisposition to the development of insulin resistance and fat accumulation in the liver.
One of the secrets of this truly magical effect is hyperactive brown fat, which causes the utilization of a large amount of energy instead of its accumulation in the form of fat deposits. The results of the study of isolated brown fat cells confirmed that an increase in Pten expression enhances the activity of these cells. Pten also promotes the formation of brown fat in the body.
Very encouraging results were obtained by experiments using a synthetic inhibitor of the enzyme phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), the effects of which are similar to the effects of Pten activity. It turned out that this compound also increases the energy consumption and activity of brown fat in mice.
According to Serrano, evolution seems to have used tumor suppressor genes to protect the body from a variety of abnormalities, including metabolic abnormalities associated with aging. However, for obvious reasons, the concern of evolution extends only to people of childbearing age and the protection provided to her begins to gradually weaken after 30 years. And, given the fact that people currently live much longer, a drug that provides at least part of the protective effects of an additional copy of the Pten gene will not even hurt us.
Article by Ana Ortega-Molina et al. Pten Positively Regulates Brown Adipose Function, Energy Expenditure, and Longevity published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on ScienceDaily (With extra gene, mice are footloose and cancer free) and Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO scientists discover in studies with mice that an anti-cancer gene also fights obesity).
07.03.2012