Age-Defying Health Benefits: New Research Unravels Secrets of the “Longevity” Gene

From SciTechDaily

S6K1 is a protein that plays a role in regulating aging and age-related diseases. Inhibiting this protein in mice has been shown to extend their lifespan and replicate the health benefits of calorie restriction, including lower body fat, stronger bones, and increased resistance to diabetes, although the exact mechanisms behind these effects were previously unclear.

S6K1 is a key target of the mTOR signaling pathway, which regulates growth and metabolism in response to nutrients and stress. The pathway also influences cellular senescence. As we age, senescent cells accumulate and release high levels of inflammatory proteins – a phenomenon known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).