Gene DEAF1 Identified as Key Driver of Age-Related Muscle Decline
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have identified the gene DEAF1 as a primary driver of age-related muscle weakness. As individuals age, DEAF1 levels rise, disrupting the mTORC1 signaling pathway and causing the accumulation of damaged proteins in muscle cells. The study, published in PNAS, demonstrates that exercise can reverse this process by lowering DEAF1 levels and restoring cellular balance. While the findings were observed in fruit flies and mice, they suggest that targeting this gene could eventually lead to therapies for those unable to exercise, though human application remains unproven.