British researchers say they have found an "ageing" protein within mitochondrial cells.
Tackling the protein might help to slow the effects of ageing on the body, the Nottingham University scientists report today.
Other recent studies have suggested that the accumulation of DNA mutations puts a limit on human life-span.
But the Nottingham researchers have conducted laboratory studies suggesting that growing levels of the protein, carbonic anhydrase, is linked to ageing.
They believe that slowing its effects could slow the onset of degenerative diseases of the brain and the loss of muscle mass linked to age.
They have published their findings in the journal Aging.
They pin-pointed the protein by using 2D gel electrophoresis to separate out proteins found in the mitochondria. They then compared these in samples from young and middle-aged brains.
They found that carbonic anhydrase was found in increased quantities in middle-aged brains.
They tested this in laboratory conditions on nematode worms – finding that increased levels of the protein reduced life span.
Researcher Dr Lisa Chakrabarti said: "What’s really exciting about this development is that we have been able to surmise that the function of this protein is playing a role in the aging process within the cell.
"This gives us a very promising start in working out how we can best target this protein within the mitochondria to slow the effects of aging in the body while limiting other unwanted side effects on the body. It could potentially offer a significant new avenue in both tackling degenerative illnesses and the general effects of aging on the body."
Aging 10 October 2016 [abstract]
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