Every organism has to deal with exposure to stresses and this applies to cells as well. Despite the popular belief that stress can cause cell death and hasten the aging process, a research conducted by biologist Sandy Westerheide and her group from Northwestern University found results that suggest otherwise. In actuality, stress can prolong life, provided that the stress is mild and sub-lethal. The research discovered a new regulated mechanism that cells use to prevent protein damage from stress.
The study focused on an enzyme Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a protein that is activated by the chemical resveratrol, which is found in red wine. Already known for its link to aging, the role of SIRT1 is to deacetylate proteins, which contribute to cellular regulation, allowing it to stay on the DNA and to keep producing special protein repair molecules (which work to prevent cell death and extent the life of the cell). Controversially, newfound evidence was discovered by the scientists who suggested that SIRT1 also regulated heat shock response (the damage-limiting of cells and organisms to protect against other stresses) in human cell lines. Variables of mild stress were experimented and results showed that when under mild stress, heat-shock response increased, as well as the level of SIRT1. Westerheide explained that this mechanism was due to the removal of the acetyl groups which allowed more protein repair molecules to be produced. The researchers concluded that the cell is protected against damage when more of SIRT1 is activated under mild stress conditions.
Although the study only tested on human cell lines, the scientists hope that with a greater understanding and further discovery of the heat shock factor 1, SIRT 1 and of the two functioning together they may be able to introduce a mechanism that may be able to protect the cells of whole organism as well. If this is successful, we may be able to alter and manipulate lifespan.
Read more at:
http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/02/19/anti.aging.pathway.enhances.cell.stress.response
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/41044/title/Antiaging__A_little_stress_may_keep_cells_youthful
