Northwestern University medical scientists say misfolded and damaged proteins can be detected much earlier than has been thought possible, long before individuals exhibit symptoms. And if intervention occurs early enough damage could be delayed.
The researchers said they studied seven different proteins of the worm C. elegans and found each protein misfolds at the same point: during early adulthood and long before the animal shows any behavioral, or physiological change.
"I didn't expect the results to be so dramatic, for these different proteins that vary in concentration and are expressed in diverse tissues to collapse at the same time," said lead researcher Professor Richard Morimoto. "This suggests the animal's protective cellular stress response becomes deficient during aging.
"Our data suggest that, in terms of therapeutics, you have to start early to prevent damage and keep cells healthy," said Morimoto. "When you see a loss of function, it's too late."
The research is detailed in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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