Scientists at Duke NUS Medical School in Singapore have identified a genetic mechanism that explains why regular exercise can rejuvenate aging muscles. The discovery, published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science, reveals that physical activity suppresses a gene called DEAF1, allowing the body’s natural repair systems to function properly.
Why Muscles Age
As people age, muscle fibers shrink and atrophy, increasing the risk of falls, fractures, and chronic disease. The National Institutes of Health notes that many begin losing muscle mass in their 40s, and by their 80s some may have lost up to half of their muscle tissue. Until now, the precise cause of this decline was unclear.
The DEAF1 Discovery
Lead author Assistant Professor Tang Hong‑Wen explained that the DEAF1 gene normally boosts activity of a growth regulator known as mTORC1, which promotes new protein production. In older cells, damaged proteins accumulate because the system that clears them out becomes inefficient. The researchers found that exercise reduces DEAF1 levels, re‑balancing the growth pathway and enabling muscles to clear out damaged proteins and rebuild stronger tissue.
“Exercise can reverse this process, correcting the imbalance,” Hong‑Wen told ScienceDaily. “Physical activity activates certain proteins which lower DEAF1 levels, bringing the growth pathway back into balance. This allows aging muscles to clear out damaged proteins, rebuild themselves properly, and helps them stay stronger and more resilient.”
Lab Results and Future Applications
The team tested the gene‑targeting approach in fruit flies and mice, successfully influencing muscle growth or deterioration by manipulating DEAF1. While the findings are promising, the researchers cautioned that in some older muscles an overactive DEAF1 gene may limit how much exercise alone can help.
For seniors who cannot engage in vigorous activity, the study suggests that directly targeting DEAF1 could become a therapeutic strategy. Such interventions might also benefit patients recovering from surgery, illness, or chronic conditions like cancer, where maintaining muscle strength is critical.
Implications for Seniors and Patients
Research assistant Priscillia Choy Sze Mun emphasized the potential impact: “Exercise tells muscles to ‘clean up and reset.’ Lowering DEAF1 helps older muscles regain strength and balance, almost like hitting the rewind button.” With millions of older adults at risk of muscle decline, understanding DEAF1 opens new avenues for protecting muscle health and improving quality of life.
While exercise remains a cornerstone of healthy aging, this study provides a scientific explanation for its benefits and points toward future treatments that could assist those unable to stay active.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
