Key points from article :
Aging may be significantly influenced by the reduction of menin, a protein found in the hypothalamus.
Lower levels of menin in young mice increased hypothalamic neuroinflammation and aging-related traits.
Included decreased bone density, skin thickness, cognitive decline, and a significantly shorter lifespan.
Decline in menin also reduced amino acid and neurotransmitter D-serine, which is present in soybeans, eggs, fish, and nuts.
After 30 days of implanting Menin gene into the hypothalamus of 20-month-old mice, researchers discovered enhanced skin thickness, bone mass, learning, cognition, and balance.
Three weeks of dietary supplementation with D-serine could result in similar advantages on cognition.
"Menin may be the key protein connecting the genetic, inflammatory, and metabolic factors of aging," said Lige Leng, corresponding author.
Further research to assess how much and how long phenotypic aging can be slowed using this newly identified pathway.
Yet to be identified is whether supplementing with D-serine may cause other unanticipated changes.
Study by Xiamen University, published in PLOS Biology.
