Super Fruit Fly May Lead To Healthier Humans; Aging Slowed With Single Protein

But humans still may get something out of the deal. As reported online in Nature Chemical Biology, the discovery that a single protein can inhibit aging holds implications for human longevity and for treatment of some of the world's most feared diseases. "This work is important for two reasons," said study author Richard Roberts, associate professor of chemistry, chemical engineering and biology at the University of Southern California. "First, it demonstrates that a single inhibitor can dramatically alter lifespan, a very complex trait. It is remarkable that you can alter it with a single genetic change. "We don't really need to make fruit flies live longer, but if we understand how to do this, our approach may have direct application to higher organisms, such as ourselves." Secondly, Roberts said, the method used by his research group to make the inhibiting proteins "opens the possibility of developing a lot of new therapeutics." The study describes a new method for blocking receptors involved in aging and disease across many species, including humans.... Whole on "ScienceDaily":[ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070608093844.htm]

---