[Science Report]:Aging Protein


This is the VOA SpecialEnglish Science Report.

A new study suggests that a protein that protects animals fromcancer early in life may later cause extreme aging. The protein iscalled p-fifty-three.

Scientists say p-fifty-three also helps prevent cancer in humans.It probably does this by halting growth or killing damaged cellsthat might develop into tumors. However, recent research on micealso shows that increased activity by the protein ages the animalslater in life. It stops the natural renewal of their tissue andorgans. The study also showed that p-fifty-three caused othereffects of aging.

Too muchp53?
Too muchp53?

Scientists at the Baylor Collegeof Medicine in Houston, Texas, reported their work in thepublication "Nature." Lawrence Donehower led a team that studiednormal mice. The team also studied mice that were accidentallycreated with unusually large amounts of p-fifty-three in theircells.

The scientists observed that the mice with extra p-fifty-threeaged sooner than normal. Their bones became weak. Their muscles andorgans became smaller. They lost weight. They lost some of theirhair. However, these mice did not develop cancerous tumors. Bycomparison, forty-five percent of the normal animals developedtumors. Still, the normal mice lived an average twenty percentlonger than the ones with extra p-fifty-three.

"Nature" magazine published the comments of two independentexperts about the results of the Baylor team research.

The experts said the study may mean that aging may be a productof the body's natural protection against cancer. The study hasspecial importance for scientists trying to develop medicines totreat the effects of aging. The research raises the question if suchtreatments that suppress the p-fifty-three gene could make a personmore likely to get cancer.

The study results also may be important for young cancer patientstreated with chemotherapy. These chemical treatments help suppresstumors. They do this by attacking some of the genetic material inthe body's cells. However, the process may increase the activity ofthe p-fifty-three protein. This might threaten recovered cancerpatients with aging sooner than normal. These young people mightdevelop age-related health problems before their time.

This VOA Special English Science Report was written by JerilynWatson.

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