New Discovery: Protein Found to Restore Youthful Muscle Power

Researchers at the University of Buffalo have made a significant breakthrough in the effort to slow or potentially reverse aging. Their study centers around a protein called NANOG, named after Tír na nÓg, the mythical Irish land of eternal youth.

By boosting NANOG levels in aging muscle precursor cells, researchers were able to reverse several signs of cellular aging. The treated cells showed improvements in energy regulation, genome stability, autophagy, nuclear integrity, and mitochondrial function. These findings suggest that NANOG could help combat the natural degeneration of muscle tissue over time.

The most remarkable results were seen in mice with premature aging. Their muscle stem cell populations increased, suggesting that NANOG may have the ability to rejuvenate aging cells in living organisms. Unlike some regenerative methods, this approach doesn’t involve reprogramming cells to a pluripotent state, which is often linked to concerns about tumor formation.

Dr. Stelios T. Andreadis, the lead researcher of the study and a SUNY Distinguished Professor, highlighted the long-term potential of their discovery.

“Our work focuses on understanding the mechanisms of NANOG’s actions in hopes of discovering druggable targets in signaling or metabolic networks that mimic the anti-aging effects of NANOG,” he explained. “Ultimately, the work could help lead to new treatments or therapies that help reverse cellular senescence, and aid the many people suffering from age-related disorders.”