Researchers at CCM Biosciences have made a groundbreaking discovery that revives a previously undruggable mitochondrial aging regulator through a novel enzyme activation mechanism. The team has identified first-in-class compounds that restore the enzyme’s activity to levels comparable to those of youthful cells, offering substantial potential for clinical applications in treating age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic conditions.
The discovery was made possible by expanding the scope of enzyme activation beyond traditional allosteric modulation. The team used new physical principles and computational design methods to identify compounds that dramatically enhance the activity of previously undruggable enzyme Sirtuin-3 (SIRT3). This study, published in Physical Review X, holds significant promise for addressing chronic age-associated diseases.
SIRT3 plays a critical role in regulating human health span and lifespan through its regulation of mitochondria. The lead compounds discovered by CCM scientists greatly increase the sensitivity of SIRT3 to the essential metabolic cofactor NAD+, whose levels decrease with age and play a major role in the onset of many age-related diseases.
These findings have sparked interest among researchers and investors, who have invested billions of dollars in therapeutic interventions for age-related disorders. However, few proprietary first-in-class drug candidates have been advanced to clinical trials for efficacy. The discovery by CCM Biosciences is poised to address this gap, with the company’s drug programs entering clinical trials for efficacy in 2025.
The potential impact of this discovery cannot be overstated, as aging-related disorders are a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Enhancing healthy lifespan by even one year is estimated to hold a global economic value exceeding $10 trillion. With this breakthrough, researchers and clinicians may finally have a tool to combat age-related diseases, offering new hope for millions of people worldwide.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/longevity-breakthrough-scientists-restore-youthful-enzyme-activity-to-combat-aging