Proteins linked to longevity also linked to Alzheimer's
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - 08:21
in Biology & Nature
Over the past 20 years, scientists have learned that proteins called sirtuins play a vital role in longevity and stress response in organisms as diverse as humans, yeast and mice. A new paper from MIT biologists now reveals a surprising additional role for sirtuins: They appear to suppress the production of amyloid beta proteins, which form plaques in the brains of Alzheimer`s patients.