An international joint research group including RIKEN and the University of Tokyo has revealed through research using Drosophila melanogaster that simply restricting intake of the amino acid methionine during youth can extend lifespan.
It has been confirmed in various organisms that dietary restriction has the effect of extending lifespan.In particular, simply restricting methionine, a type of amino acid that makes up proteins, can extend the lifespan of a wide range of organisms, including nematodes, fruit flies, and mice. has been proven to extend.
However, it is instinctively difficult for animals, including humans, to live with constant dietary restrictions.In this study, we used Drosophila melanogaster to examine the effect of time-limited methionine restriction on lifespan to determine whether the lifespan extension effect of methionine restriction changes depending on the life stage.
As a result, while the lifespan of individuals with methionine restriction during young age (5 to 32 days after emergence) was extended, lifespan extension was not observed even when methionine was restricted from middle age onward (after 32 days after emergence). I couldn't.They also found that restricting methionine for four weeks in early life had a stronger effect on lifespan extension than restricting methionine for four weeks in middle age.
In order to clarify this molecular mechanism, we analyzed gene expression and found that when methionine was restricted at a young age, the expression of many genes with anti-aging ability increased.In particular, methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA), which restores (reduces) oxidized methionine in the body, increases significantly, and young individuals with methionine restriction have a decrease in oxidized methionine in the body. was.However, this effect was not observed in old individuals.The above results suggest that methionine restriction induces MsrA and extends lifespan, but the effect is limited to young animals, and the effect may be attenuated (disappeared) in older individuals.
In the future, it will be necessary to verify the extent to which the findings in Drosophila melanogaster apply to humans, but this study suggested that the lifespan extension effect of dietary restriction may weaken with age.In addition to establishing and improving methods for promoting health through diet, it is expected to contribute to the development of new methodologies that contribute to extending healthy life expectancy without dietary restrictions.
Paper information:[Nature Communications] Early-adult methionine restriction reduces methionine sulfoxide and extends lifespan in Drosophila
