Controlling this protein could allow us to live up to 160 years!

The UC Merced team, while studying Drosophila flies, discovered a fundamental mechanism influencing protein production, directly linked to aging and cancer.


The OTUD6 protein plays a key role in translating RNA into proteins. An imbalance in this production could influence the longevity of organisms, as well as their resilience to stress.

The researchers managed to double the lifespan of flies by genetically modifying OTUD6. This result strengthens the theory that reduced protein production is correlated with increased longevity. This discovery is based on a particular mechanism capable of regulating protein production by ribosomes, the cellular "factories" responsible for protein synthesis. The genetically modified version of OTUD6 cuts this production in half, disrupting the usual processes.

Genetically manipulating this protein showed an increased sensitivity to chemical stress, particularly oxidative stress. This vulnerability could be exploited to better understand cellular defense mechanisms. The implications for cancer research are promising. In many types of human cancers, elevated levels of OTUD6 have been observed, suggesting a link between cancerous proliferation and this protein.

The team is now working to understand how cells control the amount of OTUD6. Regulating this could open doors to innovative treatments to extend lifespan while limiting cancer cell growth. A new path to slowing aging and understanding cancer has thus been highlighted. Future studies could reveal more hidden secrets in these small flying organisms.

How could the amount of proteins influence longevity and cancer?

Proteins play a fundamental role in cell function. They are responsible for structure, regulation, and repair within the body. Modifying their production can have direct impacts on the lifespan of organisms and on the development of certain diseases like cancer.

The researchers' discovery about the OTUD6 protein, which regulates protein production in cells, showed that producing fewer proteins may correlate with increased longevity. This is explained by a reduction in cellular stress and improved resilience against damage caused by aging.

In contrast, in the context of cancer, excessive protein production, often observed with elevated levels of OTUD6, can promote the rapid growth of tumor cells. Understanding how this protein functions could open new avenues to limit cancer cell proliferation.