Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have made an exciting discovery that could help us better understand aging.
Their study focused on fission yeast, a simple single‑celled organism that has been used for decades to uncover basic rules of biology.
Even though yeast is very different from humans, many of its internal processes work the same way in our bodies. This makes it a useful model for aging research, because scientists can test ideas quickly and safely before moving on to human studies.
The research team examined a compound called rapalink‑1, which is an experimental drug designed to block a major biological pathway known as the TOR pathway. The TOR pathway controls how cells grow, divide, and use energy.
It exists in nearly all living things, from yeast to humans. Because it influences both growth and aging, the TOR pathway has become one of the most important targets in anti‑aging research. Drugs that act on TOR, such as rapamycin, have already been shown to extend lifespan in several animal studies.
In this new study, published in Communications Biology, researchers Juhi Kumar, Kristal Ng and Charalampos Rallis showed that rapalink‑1 can extend the lifespan of fission yeast. When yeast cells were exposed to the compound, they grew more slowly but lived longer.
This shows that rapalink‑1 affects TORC1, the part of the TOR pathway that promotes growth. Slowing growth may seem like a negative thing, but in biology, slower growth can sometimes protect cells from stress and allow them to survive longer.
During the investigation, the team also discovered something unexpected: a group of enzymes called agmatinases plays an important role in healthy aging. Agmatinases convert a natural compound called agmatine into polyamines, which are small molecules needed for cell growth and survival.
The researchers realized that these enzymes are part of a metabolic “feedback loop” that helps keep TOR activity balanced. When this loop was damaged, yeast cells grew faster at first but showed signs of aging much earlier. This suggests there is a trade‑off between growing quickly and living a long, healthy life.
The team found that giving yeast extra agmatine or a related compound called putrescine could help extend their lifespan under certain conditions. This raises the possibility that similar processes may exist in humans.
Agmatine is found naturally in some foods and is also made by gut bacteria, so the study hints at a possible connection between diet, the microbiome, and aging.
However, the researchers urge caution. Agmatine supplements are already sold online, but the study shows that its effects depend heavily on how other metabolic pathways are functioning. In some cases, agmatine might even contribute to harmful conditions.
The team stresses that more research is needed before anyone considers agmatine as a supplement for longevity.
Overall, the study highlights a powerful link between the TOR pathway, metabolism, and lifespan. By showing how both drugs and natural metabolites influence aging, the findings may help scientists design new strategies to support healthy aging in humans.
The work also opens the door to future research that combines TOR‑targeting drugs with dietary approaches or microbiome‑based therapies.
In reviewing the results, it is clear that the study offers two major insights. First, rapalink‑1 and other TOR inhibitors continue to show promise as tools for extending lifespan, at least in simple organisms.
Second, the discovery of a metabolic feedback loop involving agmatinases suggests that aging is not controlled by a single pathway but by a network of interacting processes. Understanding how these systems work together could lead to new ways to slow aging and prevent age‑related diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.
Although the findings come from yeast, they provide valuable clues that may eventually help researchers develop safer and more effective anti‑aging treatments for people. The study also highlights the importance of studying metabolism, diet, and gut microbes as key factors that influence how long we live and how healthy we remain in old age.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about nutrients that could combat inflammation in older people, and essential foods for healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between processed foods and chronic diseases, and a simple diet change for a healthier life after 65.
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