Key points from article :
Scientists discovered a small molecule (TAC) that increases telomerase activity, thereby health and cognition in mice.
Telomerase is an enzyme that prevents telomere shortening, which is linked to aging.
TAC reached numerous tissues and organs, importantly, the central nervous system, and cleared in about three hours.
Treated mice showed improvements in cognitive function in memory-related tests.
TAC also improved muscle performance and grip strength in old mice.
“Epigenetic repression of TERT plays a major role in the cellular decline seen at the onset of aging by regulating genes involved in learning, memory, muscle performance and inflammation,” - Ronald DePinho, corresponding author on the paper.
It may improve age-related diseases by not only by preserving telomere integrity but also targeting multiple aging hallmarks.
Study by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, published in the journal Cell.
TERT exerts anti-aging activity but also by modulating gene expression and cellular signaling pathways governing cellular survival, senescence, neurogenesis, and stress resistance, among other processes.
