The researchers from Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Australia, recently discovered the anti-ageing function of a protein named ATFS-1 found in human cells. The protein helps reverse the ageing process of the cell that takes place due to the toxic by-products of the biological process that eventually occurs with the help of mitochondria, also known as the ‘Powerhouse of the cell’ as it is known to provide the energy to the cells that help maintain our regular bodily functions. This protein has the ability to create a balance between the repairing of the damaged mitochondria and the creation of a new one.
This research and perhaps its findings can help everyone benefit from healthy ageing and may bring solutions for those who suffer from mitochondrial diseases. The functioning of vital organs is affected as one ages yet the main issue that these findings can help elevate is as to how one can live healthy & better as opposed to just go along the idea of living a longer life.
Relation between ATFS-1 & Mitochondrial diseases
In simple words, mitochondria provides energy that eventually helps regulate our body functions but those individuals who are detected with inherited mitochondrial disease face health issues because their cells aren’t able to produce the much-needed energy. These diseases are genetic in nature and affects how the mitochondria might function in their respective bodies. This further affects how our vital organs such as the brain, pancreas, liver, heart, kidneys, etc may thereby function.
One may face life-threatening complications such as strokes, liver failure, gastrointestinal conditions, parathyroid failure, etc.
How is stress related to the functioning of our cells
Experiencing stress regularly and daily will prove to be life-threatening as it will harm the mitochondria and thereby disrupt its regular function that rather keeps our body organs healthy. Damaged mitochondria will further cause the DNA to enter the bloodstream which further elevates our sugar levels. Increased sugar levels might lead to hypertension, Type II diabetes and such related issues.
To conclude, the above-mentioned ability of ATFS-1 will help slow down the ageing process of the cell by helping create the aforementioned balance and by thereby repairing the mitochondria. This conclusion is also supported by the observation made the researchers where they have informed about studying the anti-ageing function of the protein in round worms or C. elegans. The findings were that the round worms had better cellular health thereby making them agile as they aged. How this relates to the human body is in the way that further interventions can be curated that ultimately keeps mitochondria healthy for long instead of the regular body functions getting adversely affected as one ages.
