metabolism tagged posts

This study shows that metabolism, acetyl‐CoA levels and histone acetylation are increased during midlife in Drosophila, which correlates with changes in the transcriptome. Depleting the enzymes that link metabolism and histone acetylation reduces midlife acetyl‐CoA levels, transcriptome changes and increases life span.

A collaborative study by 2 research groups at LMU’s Biomedical Center has shown in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster that age-dependent changes are already detectable in middle age. Genetic investigation of the signal pathways involved in mediating this effect identified a common process – the modification of proteins by the attachment of so-called acetyl groups (CH3COO−) to proteins – that links the age-related changes at the metabolic and genetic levels.

As we age...

Microbes under a microscope. Credit: NIAID

The research indicates that there may be a window of opportunity during early human development to optimize the chances of better lifelong health.
“Exercise affects many aspects of health, both metabolic and mental, and people are only now starting to look at the plasticity of these gut microbes,” said Prof Monika Fleshner. Microbes take up residence within human intestines shortly after birth and are vital to the development of the immune system and various neural functions. These microbes can add as many 5 million genes to a person’s overall genetic profile and thus have tremendous power to influence aspects of human physiology.

While this diverse microbial community remains somewhat malleable throughout adult life and can be influenced by envir...