Scientists discovered a "mortality timer" in cells that may hold the key to slowing aging and expending lifespan

Scientists say they found the cellular "mortality timer" that dictates aging.

In a recent study in Nature, experts state they found that the size of the nucleolus, a structure within the cell nucleus, plays a crucial role in determining cell longevity. Smaller nucleoli were associated with longer lifespans, while larger nucleoli led to cell death.

The nucleolus houses what’s called ribosomal DNA (or rDNA), which encodes the RNA portions of ribosomes, the protein-building machinery of cells. As cells age, the nucleolus tends to expand, and this expansion is linked to DNA damage and cell death.

The researchers found this by studying yeast cells. And they found that when the nucleolus reaches a certain size threshold, it becomes more leaky, allowing harmful molecules to enter and damage the rDNA. This damage can lead to chromosomal rearrangements and ultimately cell death.

Notably, by manipulating the size of the nucleolus, the researchers were able to delay aging in yeast cells, suggesting that maintaining a small nucleolus could be a potential strategy for extending lifespan.

While this research was conducted in yeast, the findings have implications for human health as well, as the underlying mechanisms of aging are often conserved across different organisms. Future research will focus on understanding how the nucleolus regulates aging in human cells and exploring potential interventions to maintain its size and function.

This discovery could enable scientists to develop interventions that delay age-related diseases. Identifying the nucleolus as a "mortality timer" provides a new target for potential anti-aging therapies.