Carbonic anhydrase, the protein controlling aging

Carbonic anhydrase, the miracle protein?

A biochemist research team at Nottingham University found out that carbonic anhydrases (CAs), a group of ubiquitous metalloenzymes present in mitochondria, could be connected to cellular degeneration and the aging process. In fact, as they demonstrated using mice, this protein is present in higher concentrations in the brain and muscles of middle-aged mice than in young ones. Moreover, by feeding carbonic anhydrases to nematode worms, the researchers also noticed a reduction of the worms’ lifespan, validating their hypothesis.

A key element to a good body function

Carbonic anhydrases are involved in many physiological and pathological processes such as gluconeogenesis, lipogenesis, ureagenesis or tumorigenicity[1]. Besides, their activation efficiently increases [HCO3 ^–] concentration in neuronal channels, hence regulating the post synaptic neuronal response: carbonic anhydrase controls signal transfer through the neural network[2].

Good but distant future prospects

The biochemists, Dr. Lisa Chakrabarti and PhD student Amelia Pollard, also found carbonic anhydrase in high concentration in young mice brain with degenerative brain disorders. This discovery adds further links of carbonic anhydrase to the consequences of  the aging processes. As Dr. Chakrabarti mentioned, this promising finding would above all allow an easier approach to degenerative diseases, though there is indeed a long way to go before human applications are available.

References

[1] «Carbonic anhydrases: novel therapeutic applications for inhibitors and activators     nature publishing group».

[2] «Carbonic anhydrase gating of attention: memory therapy and enhancement     Miao-Kun Sun et al.»