Oxidative stress increases in the brains of older people. This is a process in which harmful particles, called free radicals, can damage cells. Researchers discovered that this stress disrupts the functioning of a specific type of enzymes: deubiquitylases. These enzymes are important for clearing away damaged proteins in brain cells.
Proteins in our cells are regularly broken down and replaced. This happens partly via a system in which proteins are marked with a small protein, ubiquitin, in order to recycle them. Deubiquitylases remove these tags when necessary, so that the degradation system continues to function properly. If these enzymes do not work properly, damaged proteins can accumulate, which is harmful to the cell.
The disruption of these enzymes by oxidative stress may contribute to brain decline in ageing. Although this is just one of many processes that change with age, it provides insight into how cells become less able to maintain the balance of their protein management. This can have consequences for brain health and the onset of age-related diseases.
Maintaining proper cell function is important for healthy ageing. By learning more about the biochemical changes in the brain, we can better understand what influences ageing and how it might perhaps be slowed down.
Source: Reason
