USA: A study published in USA: Nature suggests that the use of solar-powered cells may contribute to increasing human longevity. It turned out that the lifespan of the tiny roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans was extended by genetically modifying mitochondria, which are capable of converting light energy into chemical energy.
The study sheds light on the complex biological function of mitochondria in the human body, a topic that researchers have only recently begun to study.
Similar to the fruit fly Drosophila, C. elegans is a commonly used research tool to understand fundamental biological concepts. Although it is well known that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a "central role" in the aging process, the exact causes are still unknown. In particular, the present study provides new research perspectives and improves our understanding of the aging process.
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In all body cells, with the exception of a few, such as red blood cells, mitochondria are organelles often referred to as the "powerhouse of the cell". Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a chemical compound that provides energy for important cell processes such as muscle contraction and electrical impulses that help nerve cells communicate with each other, is produced by the mitochondria from glucose.
The exchange of protons across the membrane separating the various mitochondrial compartments eventually results in the development of what is known as the "membrane potential", which controls the production of ATP. It has been demonstrated that this membrane potential gradually decreases with aging and is implicated in a variety of age-related diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders.
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Optogenetics, a method commonly used in neuroscience to specifically target and activate neurons, was used in this study to enable more precise examination of patterns of brain activity. With unmatched precision and resolution, optogenetics—a branch of genetics and optics—allows scientists to use light to turn cells on or off.
The mitochondria of C. elegans were genetically modified to contain a fungus-derived light-activated proton pump. Proton pumps move charged ions across the membrane when exposed to light, using the light's energy to charge the mitochondria. This process, known as mitochondria-ON (mTON), resulted in a 30–40% increase in the roundworm's lifespan, which also increased ATP production and membrane potential.
Brandon Berry, first author of the study, described what they did as "basically adding a solar panel to the existing power plant [mitochondria] infrastructure".
"In this case, the solar panel optogenetic tool is mTON," he continued. "Then, in addition to the regular combustion pathway, the normal mitochondrial machinery is able to use light energy to provide ATP."
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According to the study, "Our results provide direct causal evidence that protection against age-related decline in mitochondrial membrane potential is sufficient to slow the rate of aging and increase health and lifespan."
The current investigation provides new research resources for the study of mitochondria. New age related disease treatments will be developed by the scientists.
"We need to learn more about how mitochondria actually behave in an animal. Rodent and human cells in culture are next, followed by worms, as in the current study," said Berry.