PELOTA protein slows down aging and prolongs life

Aging has long been associated with a deterioration in the quality of DNA and proteins in cells. But RNA, the molecules that transmit information to create proteins, remained almost out of sight. Scientists from KAIST, together with colleagues from Yonsei University and KRIBB (South Korea), have shown for the first time that RNA quality control directly affects longevity.

The central character of the discovery was the PELOTA protein. It participates in “cellular surveillance” — it eliminates defective RNA molecules and helps cells to work properly. When the researchers increased PELOTA levels in nematodes, the animals lived longer and showed signs of delayed aging. This is direct evidence that cellular purity of RNA is important for health and longevity.

The protein’s mechanism of operation turned out to be multi-layered. PELOTA regulates the mTOR pathway, which is responsible for cell growth and metabolism, and activates autophagy— the process of harvesting cellular waste. When there is not enough protein, mTOR gets out of control, and autophagy weakens. As a result, aging accelerates, and cells lose their ability to maintain their health.

Scientists have noticed that this mechanism works not only in worms, but also in mammals. Loss of PELOTA can lead to muscle aging and even contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This opens up new perspectives for the development of drugs and strategies for the prevention of age-related diseases.

Professor Seung-jae Lee, who led the research, emphasized: “We previously knew that quality control of DNA and proteins is important for a long life. Now we see that RNA also plays a key role. Removal of damaged RNA molecules is a central axis in the aging regulation network.”

In addition to the fundamental importance, the results of the work give hope for practical application. If in the future it is possible to develop drugs or methods for activating PELOTA in human cells, this could be a revolution in the approach to prolonging active life and reducing the risk of age-related diseases.