age-related disease

Mimicking Caloric Restriction
The extended life span and resistance to age-related diseases in animals exposed to caloric restriction

has focused attention on the biochemical mechanisms that produce these effects. Selman et al.

(p. 140; see the Perspective by Kaeberlein and Kapahi) explored the role of the mammalian ribosomal

protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), which regulates protein translation and cellular energy metabolism.

Female knockout mice lacking expression of S6K1 showed characteristics of animals exposed to

caloric restriction, including improved health and increased longevity. The beneficial effects

included reduced fat mass in spite of increased food intake. Thus, inhibition of signaling pathways

activated by S6K1 might prove beneficial in protecting against age-related disease.