Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a novel protein linking aging and age-dependent retinal diseases, potentially leading to new treatments for conditions that cause sight loss later in life.
For the study, researchers reportedly used mouse models exhibiting retinal abnormalities similar to those seen in aged mice, but with earlier onset and faster development. Through genetic mapping of the mice, scientists discovered a mutation of the protein Transmembrane 135 (Tmem135) was the reason for the symptoms.
According to researchers, the regulation of mitochondrial size by Tmem135 determines the sensitivity of cells to environmental stress and the pace of aging in the retina. For their next step, the research team plans to determine exact biochemical and molecular functions of Tmem135 in mitochondria, and to examine its roles in the aging process of other tissues and various age-dependent diseases.
The study was recently published in the journal eLife.
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