Duke-NUS researchers identify DEAF1 gene linked to muscle aging

Scientists from the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, in collaboration with Singapore General Hospital and Cardiff University, have identified the DEAF1 gene as a key factor in age-related muscle weakening. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveals that as people age, DEAF1 levels increase, causing the mTORC1 signaling pathway to become overactive. This imbalance leads muscle cells to produce excessive proteins while failing to clear out damaged ones, resulting in protein accumulation and muscle decline.

Research conducted on fruit flies and aged mice demonstrated that increasing DEAF1 levels accelerated muscle weakness, while reducing them restored protein balance and muscle strength. Crucially, the study found that physical activity can mitigate this process by activating proteins that lower DEAF1 levels, helping muscles maintain health through regular exercise. However, researchers noted that for individuals with extremely high DEAF1 levels or very low FOXO protein activity, exercise alone may not be sufficient to fully restore muscle function, prompting further investigation into potential gene-targeted therapies.