New target for treating diseases of premature aging

Scientists from Saudi Arabia's Salk Institute and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have discovered that a stretch of DNA that jumps around the human genome plays a role in progeria

"These findings provide new insights into progeria-like syndromes and their treatments, while also highlighting the importance of LINE-1 RNA in normal aging," said Salk Professor in the Gene Expression Laboratory, Altos Laboratory at the San Diego Institute of Science Director and co-corresponding author Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte said

Progeria-like syndromes, including Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome and Werner syndrome, can cause accelerated aging in children and adolescents

One of the molecular features of normal aging and progeria-like syndromes is the overall organization of DNA

The team then developed molecules that specifically bind to LINE-1, preventing the RNA from accumulating and affecting cells

Roger Guillemin Chair Izpisua Belmonte said: "Targeting LINE-1 RNA may be an effective approach for the treatment of Progeria-like syndrome and other age-related diseases associated with LINE-I, including neuropsychiatric disorders, ocular diseases, metabolic disorders and cancer

The researchers are planning future studies to better understand what causes the accumulation of LINE-1 RNA and how it can be prevented with drugs in human patients