Scientists in London have discovered that caffeine can trigger an ancient cellular mechanism that slows aging, reports infohub.kz.
British researchers from the Cell Aging Laboratory at Queen Mary University of London have uncovered the molecular mechanism by which caffeine can slow down the aging process. The results of the study were published in the journal Microbial Cell.
In experiments on the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the scientists found that caffeine activates the evolutionarily ancient enzyme system AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase). This protein acts as the main energy sensor in cells and is responsible for maintaining metabolic balance, stress resistance, and repair of damaged DNA. Previously, it was thought that caffeine directly targets the rapamycin target TOR, but new data show that the effect is achieved specifically through stimulation of AMPK.
Interestingly, the same regulatory mechanism is used by the popular drug metformin, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes and is actively studied in the context of life extension. The authors emphasize that tests on single-celled organisms do not yet serve as direct proof that regular coffee consumption guarantees increased human lifespan. Nevertheless, the discovery of the important role of AMPK provides a scientific basis for developing new biomedical drugs aimed at promoting healthy longevity.